Written answers

Thursday, 23 June 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

National Drugs Strategy

8:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to recent comments from a person, details supplied, that a pilot scheme aimed at diverting young persons in Dublin away from drugs and crime should be run in every area and town in the country; if he will report on the success of the juvenile arrest referral scheme; his views on whether this scheme is a valuable and important means of tackling drug abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The juvenile arrest referral scheme in Dublin's north inner city is currently a pilot initiative involving a partnership arrangement between the Health Services Executive, the Garda Síochána and the Dublin north inner city local drugs task force. Under this scheme, young people arrested for drugs offences, or offences believed to be related to drug misuse, in the Garda Dublin north central division are offered the opportunity of voluntary referral to local health services regarding their possible drug misuse. During 2003, my Department provided funding of €20,000 to the north inner city local drug task force to commission research into the operation of arrest referral schemes, including an examination of the operation of the above pilot scheme. The research study was publicly launched on April 11 2005 by my colleague, the Minister for State with special responsibility for the national drugs strategy, Deputy Noel Ahern. I understand that the findings of the study, including proposals for the appropriate development of the pilot scheme, will now be brought forward by the north inner city local drugs task force for consideration by the parties involved in the current pilot scheme.

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