Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Can time be set aside in the coming weeks for a debate on the Government’s plans for the national drugs and alcohol policy? Last week my colleague in the other House, Deputy Niall Collins, and I published our proposals in this area. There is quite a bit on which all parties can agree. The absence of a Minister of State with responsibility for drugs policy is a deficiency and has taken away the focus required in dealing with substance and alcohol misuse. I am chairing the north Dublin regional drugs and alcohol task force and aware of the need to properly resource this initiative. There have been drastic reductions in the numbers of gardaí in drugs squads across the country. I am not saying this as a criticism but calling for a refocusing to recognise that the priority afforded to this issue has waned somewhat.

The types of drug being abused have also changed. Taking Dublin as an example, the number on methadone has remained static in the past ten to 15 years, while in many areas the number abusing heroin has actually reduced. However, synthetic drugs are now being used such as synthetic cannabis which is causing desperate damage, particularly to young people who are developing physically and mentally. It is unfortunate that some Members of the other House and people abroad have the view that cannabis is actually safe - it is not. The chemical make-up of the synthetic cannabis being sold is and has proved to be very dangerous. I have met young adults who are in residential detox programmes as a result.

I would welcome an opportunity to debate a national drugs policy with the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar. The fact that he is charged with responsibility for this issue presents a problem because it requires the specific focus of a Minister of State. Other parties will examine Fianna Fáil’s recent proposals and bring forward their own. Will the Leader check with the Minister for Health and schedule a specific debate before the summer recess on actual proposals for a national drugs and alcohol policy?Alternatively, if that cannot happen, perhaps we would consider public consultation. Ideally, I would prefer if the Minister were to come into the House in the coming weeks.