Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

National Drugs Strategy

8:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the next drugs prevalence survey will be published; the timeframe of this survey; if a special study will be conducted into the use of crack cocaine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10797/06]

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

The national advisory committee on drugs and the drug and alcohol information and research unit, Northern Ireland, commissioned the first drug prevalence survey, the purpose of which was to establish the population prevalence of drug use on the island of Ireland in 2002/03. This study surveyed over 8,000 people aged 15-64 in Ireland and Northern Ireland between October 2002 and April 2003 and examined the prevalence of a number of drugs. The survey collected data relating to both cocaine powder and crack on a lifetime — ever used — basis; last year — recent use — basis; and last month — current use — basis.

Expressions of interest from potential tenderers have been sought for a second population drug prevalence survey. With the baseline information in place from the first survey, the findings of this survey should prove very informative, giving valuable information on trends, including those relating to crack cocaine, that can feed into drugs policy formulation for the future. It is intended that the drug prevalence study fieldwork will be carried out from late 2006 to mid-2007. Preliminary analysis will be in the months following, with a first report of national prevalence figures and trends expected in late 2007.

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason increases in spending on the national drugs strategy since 2002 have not been accompanied by a decrease in the availability or usage of illegal drugs. [10780/06]

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

I am pleased with the increasing levels of funding being made available to tackle the problems of drugs misuse. An allocation of €43 million has been made to my Department's Vote for the drugs initiative-young people's facilities and services fund in 2006. This represents an increase of 37% on the original 2005 allocation and a massive 61% increase on the 2004 figure. It will allow us to consolidate and build on previous investment and to continue to tackle the drug problem in a comprehensive way. I remain hopeful that through this sizeable programme of investment we will continue to impact in a serious way on the availability and usage of illegal drugs.

With respect to the availability or usage of illegal drugs, although there is anecdotal evidence of a growth in the use of some illegal drugs, albeit from a relatively low base, we are not in a position to quantify the level of any increase. At the same time, the rate of success of the gardaí and the customs service is significant, with seizures of approximately €49 million in 2002, increasing in 2003 and 2004 to €100 million and €132 million respectively. Overall, there are encouraging signs of progress in recent years, be it in the areas of drug seizures, the decline in the number of new cases of problematic opiate misuse in Dublin, the expansion of treatment services or in prevention programmes in schools.

It is intended that the field work for the second drug prevalence study will be carried out from late 2006 to mid-2007. Preliminary analysis will be done in the months following, with a first report of national prevalence figures and trends expected in late 2007. At that stage, we will be much better placed to measure effectively current drug use in Ireland.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.