Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of his admission in August 2006 that the Government was not winning the war on drugs he has plans for fast tracking the proposals in the mid term review of the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31193/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Illegal drug use is a global issue and so our efforts to tackle it in Ireland must be seen in that context. The enormity and the geographic scale of the struggle we face can be illustrated by considering the sources of the drugs that are sold on our streets. Cannabis resin comes predominately from Morocco, but it can also come from the Middle East and the Indian sub continent. Cocaine originates in Latin America, mostly Colombia, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru while heroin comes mainly from the so-called Golden Crescent of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also from Burma, Laos and Thailand. To really get to grips with the international problems of drug misuse, it is imperative that the drug issue be tackled in all those countries as well as in all the countries through which drugs travel before they reach our shores.

Against this background I feel that it is naïve to believe that Ireland can be kept totally drug-free, and it is from that context, and in answer to a question, that the comment on the "war on drugs" is taken.

The National Drugs Strategy recognises the volatility and change inherent in the misuse of drugs and so it is flexible in its approach. The implementation of the Strategy, which is co-ordinated by my Department, is being progressed with the significant input of other Government Departments and Agencies – for example, the Health Services Executive, the Departments of Health & Children, Education & Science, Justice, Equality & Law Reform, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prisons Service, the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners and FÁS. Through this on-going process of co-operation and partnership all of these bodies are playing important roles in the implementation of the overall Strategy and in meeting the changing challenges which arise.

I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years — be it in the areas of drug seizures, the expansion of treatment services, the establishment of the Regional Drugs Task Forces or prevention programmes in schools.

This Government has placed great emphasis on progressing the 108 Actions of the National Drugs Strategy, as revised at the Mid-Term Review stage. While the implementation of the Actions is very challenging, I am confident that the momentum built up around the various initiatives will see them implemented within the Strategy timescale which runs to the end of 2008.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will expand on recent comments by the former Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Mr. Eoin Ryan TD, that the Government considered legalising heroin in 2001; if the Government is still considering such a step; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31278/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that Mr. Eoin Ryan T.D., in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, looked at various approaches to tackling the problem of drugs misuse in other jurisdictions. This included policies implemented in the Netherlands and Switzerland involving the dispensing of heroin to a small number of people in designated clinics and under strict supervision. The introduction of such a system in Ireland was discounted and no proposal on the matter was put to Government.

The Government is not considering such a step at this time. Indeed, it is my view that any move to legalise heroin would have wholly detrimental effects. Heroin is a dangerous and damaging drug that causes enormous harm to individuals, their families and the communities in which they live. Moreover, any softening of our legislation in regard to heroin would be out of line with the European Drugs Strategy, to which we are committed.

The methadone maintenance programme has been an enormous aid in helping thousands of heroin users to manage their addiction. Nearly 8,000 people are now receiving methadone treatment. Furthermore, while we must wait for the outcome of the recently commenced drugs prevalence survey to have more definite numbers, it is estimated by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs that the number of heroin users has stabilised or fallen slightly in Dublin and that it is at low levels nationwide. Also, the report of Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, which I established, is expected in the coming months and any recommendations therein in regard to rehabilitation will be considered at that stage.

In short, I am entirely satisfied that there is no case for reviewing the current legal position in relation to heroin.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a new report entitled The Impact of Drugs on Families written by two social policy consultants; his views on its recommendations; the efforts being made to provide services for families who have a member with a serious drug habit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31276/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I was pleased to be invited to launch the research to which the Deputy refers, "The Impact of Drugs on Families" commissioned by Ballyfermot STAR. Generally speaking, I would accept the thrust of the recommendations therein. Overall, the report shows that, compared to the average Irish family, the well being of the family of a drug misuser is greatly affected by that drug misuse. Furthermore, in discussing the role of families, it is important to bear in mind that the family of a drug misuser can be a considerable support and a resource in dealing with the problem, while at the same time often having needs of their own for which they require help and support.

Under the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, the needs of families of drug misusers have been identified as a priority. The 2005 Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy stressed the positive role that families can play across all of the pillars of the Strategy. To reinforce this, a new action (Action 108) was included in the National Drugs Strategy at that time to encourage the prioritisation of the provision of family services in Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas. Progress on this issue is reflected in the participation of family support groups in a number of Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces.

The Government's commitment to this issue was further strengthened when family support work was identified as one of the priority issues for funding under the Emerging Needs Fund when it was set up in 2005. This Fund was established to provide a flexible and timely response to evolving needs in regard to drugs misuse in Local Drugs Task Force areas. Of the €4m which was approved under this Fund, over €350,000 was specifically targeted to family support projects. Furthermore, over 25% of the funding allocated under the Emerging Needs fund was targeted to projects which involved some element of family support work.

In addition, a number of other Departments and Agencies including the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Health Service Executive provide a range of services and supports for families, including families with drug misusers.

I can assure the Deputy that support for families of problem drug users will continue to be a priority within the National Drugs Strategy.