Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the increased rate of crack cocaine use here; the level of crack cocaine use he has identified; the extent of the crack cocaine problem here; if drug treatment services are equipped to deal with persons addicted to crack cocaine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16678/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 52 together.

As the Deputies are aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The strategy contains 100 individual actions, under the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research, to be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies.

In relation to the prevalence of cocaine use in Ireland, the NACD-DAIRU drug prevalence survey is generally regarded as the most reliable baseline data on drug prevalence in Ireland. That study, which surveyed 8,442 people aged 15 to 64 in Ireland and in Northern Ireland between October 2002 and April 2003, reported that 3.1% of the population had ever used cocaine, 1.1% had used it in the last 12 months and 0.3% had used it in the last month. Compared with similar comprehensive population surveys undertaken in other European countries, these figures suggest that Ireland is roughly average in terms of use.

There are no specific studies on the use of crack cocaine in Ireland and the only available figures come from the NACD-DAIRU drug prevalence survey. However, caution must be exercised in this regard as general surveys such as this are not good measures of "hidden" populations such as heroin and crack users. For information, in that survey, reported crack cocaine was very low — 0.4% reported lifetime use, 0.1% reported use in the last 12 months and there were no respondents in relation to last month use.

In relation to the media reports, I would be most concerned about such activity and I have asked my officials to discuss these claims with the Garda Síochána.

As I have outlined to this House on a number of occasions, I am confident that through the implementation of the actions in the national drugs strategy and the projects and initiatives operated through the local drugs task forces, LDTFs, the problem of cocaine use can be addressed. Each of the LDTFs has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in their area based on their own identified priorities and they continue to have regular contact with the local communities in which they are based.

These projects deal with supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for a range of drugs, including cocaine. We must be aware that most drug users engage in poly-drug use and, therefore, projects should be able to address this pattern of usage rather than concentrating on one drug to the exclusion of others.

I would add that, where cocaine usage is seen as an emerging problem in LDTF areas, it is open to the task forces to develop proposals and apply under the new emerging needs fund which I announced in January last. The LDTFs were invited to submit applications to the national drugs strategy team, NDST, for consideration by 31 March. In addition, late last year, I approved funding of almost €400,000 for a number of pilot cocaine projects which are currently being rolled out in selected task force areas. I will be examining the outcomes of these projects closely over the coming months.

With regard to treatment, the Deputies will be aware that there is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine, in crack or powder form, and existing services such as counselling and behavioural therapy are the best treatments available. In this context, it should be noted that the health services have recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in the last number of years.

On the prevention side, the ongoing national awareness campaign on drugs has addressed the issue of cocaine through a well-received campaign. The campaign aims to tackle the perception held by some that cocaine use is safe. In regard to supply, the gardaí and Customs and Excise continue to target cocaine dealers and have very significantly increased seizures of cocaine in recent years.

In addition, the mid-term review of the strategy, which will be published in early June, will identify priorities for action in the remaining period up to 2008. The need to amend the strategy to reflect changing patterns of drug use will be considered in this context.

I can assure the Deputies that the Government will continue to monitor the situation regarding cocaine very closely.