Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 128: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a progress report will be provided on the measures to counter the increasing use of cocaine and crack cocaine here; his proposals to meet the needs of users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4371/06]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 131: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the nature and scale of cocaine abuse and its epidemic growth across communities here, his views on the fact that more action needs to be taken than the current multi-media awareness campaign; if his attention has been drawn to the pilot schemes to tackle cocaine abuse in Dublin city; his views on diverting more resources to these schemes and expanding them across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4367/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 131 together.

While anecdotal evidence suggests that there has been an increase in the use of cocaine, I do not believe it has reached epidemic proportions. The 2002-03 national drug prevalence survey provides comprehensive baseline information on cocaine use in this country. It is intended that the fieldwork for the next drug prevalence study will be carried out from around September 2006 to April 2007. Preliminary analysis will be done in the months following, with a first report of national prevalence figures and trends expected later in 2007. At that stage we will be much better placed to measure effectively the level of growth of cocaine use in Ireland.

There is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and crack cocaine and existing services such as counselling and behavioural therapy are the best treatments available. In this context, the Health Service Executive has recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in the last number of years.

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 and regional drugs task forces, the problem of cocaine and crack cocaine use can be addressed. Each of the drugs task forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in their area, based on their own priorities and aided by their ongoing contact with local communities.

I also point out that all schools now have substance misuse prevention programmes. In addition, the national drugs awareness campaign focused specifically on cocaine use in 2004-05. This well received campaign sought to dispel the image that cocaine was a clean and safe drug with few detrimental consequences.

Furthermore, in 2005 I launched the four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use, as well as a training initiative focusing on frontline workers. Funding of almost €400,000 was provided by me to support these initiatives. The four projects deal with the following cohorts of cocaine users: intravenous cocaine users; poly-drug users using cocaine; problematic intranasal cocaine users; and problematic female cocaine users. The evaluation of these pilot projects has commenced and it is expected that a preliminary report will be available in the coming months. The main thrust of the evaluation will be to analyse, in a systematic manner, what is being achieved by the projects and to report on the lessons to be learned as a result. It is hoped that the results of this evaluation will aid the formulation of further effective actions aimed at tackling cocaine misuse.

While the problems of cocaine and crack cocaine must not be underestimated, I believe progress is being made and I will continue to respond in a flexible and focused way as the situation evolves.