Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the actions proposed or the changes already agreed, to proposals in relation to highlighting the problems attached to the misuse of illicit substances as a result of recent events involving such use of such substances over the holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35699/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he or his Department has had meetings with the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform or his Department as a result of recent events due to the use of illicit substances as to the way the dangers of the misuse of the substances can be highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35742/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has given directives to agencies within his remit seeking the highlighting of the effects of the use of illicit substances and their dangers during the holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35743/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 265, 268 and 269 together.

Last week, I chaired the regular quarterly meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs. This Group comprises representatives of all the key Departments — including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform — and Agencies involved in delivering the National Drugs Strategy 2001-08, as well as representatives of the community and voluntary sectors. At the meeting, a presentation was made by the Health Promotion Unit of the Health Service Executive outlining the forthcoming National Drugs Awareness Campaign, the initial phase of which was launched last Monday. The aim of the campaign is to dispel the myths surrounding cocaine and cocaine use and it is targeted at recreational users aged 15-34 years.

While the Health Promotion Unit has lead responsibility for the development of this campaign, an Advisory Group, including representatives of my Department along with the Drug Task Forces and the National Drugs Strategy Team, was established earlier this year to consider the most effective way forward with the campaign. The campaign will be primarily digital based. It is expected that the second phase of the campaign, which will include radio, outdoor, ambient and press coverage, will be rolled out in February 2008. I have not given directives to agencies within the remit of my Department regarding the effects of drug misuse over the holiday period.