Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Substance Misuse

7:00 pm

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent 2006 Annual Report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction that drugs in Europe were probably now at their cheapest for five years; if there is information available to the gardaí suggesting a similar drop in prices here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41918/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the recent Annual Report published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) refers to a decrease in the average price of most drug types across Europe as a whole. This assessment is based on the analysis of data supplied to the centre during the years 1999 to 2004 inclusive.

As part of its on-going analysis of the drugs market within this jurisdiction, An Garda Síochána monitors the price of all illegal drugs.

In relation to the principal illicit drugs namely, cannabis, cannabis resin, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine, the Garda authorities inform me that their analysis shows a reduction in the price of all these illicit drugs over the past five years with the exception of heroin whose price has remained relatively stable.

In relation to the measures being taken by An Garda Síochána to tackle the problem of drug trafficking, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question reference number 41919 of today.

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