Written answers

Wednesday, 28 February 2007

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

National Drugs Strategy

10:00 pm

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent academic study carried out at Dublin City University that showed that every banknote tested was contaminated by traces of cocaine; his views on the recent upsurge in cocaine use as evidenced by this study; the efforts he is making to combat the spread of cocaine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7688/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the need for increased resources to deal with cocaine addiction within the National Drugs Strategy particularly in view of the fact that drug treatment centres (detail supplied) are seeing an increasing number of clients for whom cocaine is the main problem drug. [7771/07]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the results of a recent survey carried out by researchers from the DCU's National Centre for Sensor Research which found that 100% of Irish banknotes examined showed traces of cocaine; his views on the widespread use of cocaine reflected in the survey's results; the steps he is taking to deal with what has been described as a cocaine heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6835/07]

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to recent comments from the co-ordinator of a group (details supplied) that an increasing number of drug treatment centres are seeing clients for whom cocaine is the main drug problem; if, in this regard, he recognises the need for more resources for the National Drugs Strategy to deal with the larger amounts of cocaine and higher level of use of the drug here; if he will therefore account for the failure to increase funding to the National Drugs Strategy in Budget 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7691/07]

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 85, 108 and 142 together.

While I am aware of the Dublin City University report referred to by the Deputies, I do not consider that anything of significance can be concluded on the basis of the information therein.

The sample of notes used would appear to have been quite small and such surveys can give dramatic outturns, particularly given the potential for cross-contamination of banknotes. The results are not dissimilar to those recorded in London in 1999 — and Spain in 2003 — when 99% and 94% of banknotes tested showed traces of cocaine.

The follow-up survey by Citywide, "Cocaine in Local Communities", is a welcome contribution to our overall knowledge in this area, particularly in the Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) areas involved in the survey. While drawing attention to increased prevalence of cocaine, this survey also stresses the steps being taken at local level, with funding from my Department, to address the evolving situation. Furthermore, while more than half of drug treatment projects involved reported seeing clients with cocaine as their main drug, the numbers coming forward for treatment for cocaine addiction is still low. The report also stresses the physical and mental health problems arising for cocaine users as well as the financial and legal problems and the knock-on effects on families and communities. In fact, I have repeatedly stressed these issues myself in the context of so-called "recreational" or "week-end" cocaine users and the glamorising of cocaine in some quarters.

At my request, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) and the National Drug Strategy Team (NDST) recently prepared a joint briefing paper on cocaine, based on existing data in Ireland. The paper, which is due to be published next week, concluded that all data sources indicated an upward trend in cocaine use. A number of recommendations are made in the paper, principally in regard to treatment, but also covering supply, prevention and research.

A key conclusion of the report is that treatment, primarily in the form of counselling, can and does work and, in this context, the provision of some cocaine specific clinics in areas where cocaine problems are more acute is being considered. However, in the broader context, I am of the view that we should work towards having drug services that can cater for the individual problem drug user, regardless of the drugs they use.

Another key recommendation relates to the training of frontline personnel to deal with cocaine issues. I have already funded a training initiative in this regard, as well as four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use. The outcomes of those projects which have been completed are being examined at present to see to what extent they can inform the way forward. Furthermore, I have funded six cocaine specific projects under the LDTF Emerging Needs Fund and the NDST, along with the Drug Task Forces, will continue to review the needs in communities.

As regards funding, I am delighted with the 16% increase to tackle drug misuse now confirmed for 2007, especially as it follows on from significant increases in the previous two years. The allocation of €50m shows an increase of 87% on the corresponding figure for 2004. Furthermore, the Deputies should note that the €50m in my Department's Vote is only part of an overall allocation of well over €200m provided by the Government across a number of other Departments to tackle the drugs problem this year.

Meanwhile, work on the second all-island Drugs Prevalence Survey is in progress and it is expected that preliminary results will be available in the latter part of this year. This will give much greater clarity on the overall prevalence of cocaine.

The challenges posed by cocaine use are significant but I am confident that we can meet these challenges through a co-ordinated approach utilising the structures of the National Drugs Strategy.

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