Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the increase in availability and abuse of drugs in rural towns and villages as evidenced in recent surveys and reports and the need to increase the number of drugs task forces outside of Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24738/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on reports of a 400% increase in the number of deaths recorded outside of Dublin from drug abuse; his further views on whether this reflects the wider availability of heroin, cocaine and other lethal drugs; the steps he is taking to reduce demand for such drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24941/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 20 together.

Yesterday, I launched the 2nd Bulletin of the All Island National Drug Prevalence Survey 2006/07, which was undertaken by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) in conjunction with their colleagues from Northern Ireland. The Bulletin looks at the regional spread of drug misuse in Ireland and the changes that have occurred since the last study in 2002/03. The first Bulletin, published in February last, indicated that while rates of lifetime and recent (last year) overall illegal drug misuse had increased, the level of current (last month) illegal drug misuse had stabilised. While this conclusion is broadly reflected in the 2nd Bulletin, there are important variations in individual regions and around individual drugs, particularly in relation to the more prevalent illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.

The report, which is available on the NACD's website at www.nacd.ie, shows that there has been a significant increase in lifetime use of illegal drugs across all areas. It also concludes that prevalence rates tend to be higher across all age periods in the east of the country, roughly from Dundalk to Cork. The increase in lifetime use for all drugs was expected as older people tend to have less exposure to — and usage of — drugs over their lifetimes and given that illegal drug use is primarily a youth/younger adult (under 35s) phenomenon. Therefore, lifetime prevalence rates are likely to increase for a considerable period of time as the current younger population age.

The increase in recent (last year) use is of more concern and it emphasises the challenging task we continue to face in regard to tackling illegal drug use in our society. However, the report shows different rates of increase across different regions. Meanwhile, the overall stabilisation in current (last month) use, although it varies across regions, is to be welcomed and hopefully, with the continuing work being done through the National Drugs Strategy, this trend will continue. With respect to drug-related deaths outside of Dublin, I am aware that the Health Research Board is currently developing a comprehensive Drug Deaths Register, which they hope to publish later this year. It will cover the 1998-2005 period and will identify regional variations. The existing General Mortality register is the only register currently available but it is generally accepted that this understates the extent of drug-related deaths.

With respect to heroin misuse, the 3 source capture/recapture study, currently being undertaken by the NACD, will provide valuable information on the changes in prevalence of heroin misuse in the country, including the level of regional spread. The Steering Group established to develop the new National Drug Strategy, covering the period 2009 — 2016, will be examining in detail the findings of the Prevalence Survey, the 3 source heroin study and the findings of the new Drugs Death Register with a view to, among other things, determining the appropriate structures for delivering the Strategy. In this context, the question of additional Local Drug Task Forces will be considered. As I outlined at the public consultation meetings for the new Strategy that I attended, the Government is committed to the partnership process between the community, voluntary and statutory sectors. However, I welcome the opportunity that the development of the new Strategy provides to re-examine the existing structures underpinning the Strategy with a view to putting in place the most appropriate arrangements to manage problem drug use in our society over the coming years.

The actions in the National Drugs Strategy under the pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation continue to target a reduction in demand of illegal drug use in our society. As the Deputies will appreciate, there have been a number of successes in this regard, not least in the area of seizures and provision of treatment services. Finally, the Deputies should note that getting problem drug users into treatment has had an important effect in reducing demand as the ROSIE study undertaken by the NACD illustrates. The study found that those accessing and remaining in treatment report significant reductions in their levels of usage of illegal drugs.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the success of the supply reduction pillar of the national drugs strategy; the way he works with the Garda and Revenue Commissioners in curbing the supply of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24901/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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There has been significant success in relation to the supply reduction pillar of the National Drugs Strategy and both An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners are playing key roles in this regard. Their levels of drugs seizures have been well in excess of the targets set out in the Strategy and they include a number of significant operations.

The Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU) is the primary unit within An Garda Síochána charged with responsibility for drug supply law enforcement. At the end of April last, 62 people were assigned to that Unit. Additional Divisional Drugs Units have also been established and they had a total strength of 340 people at the same date. Both the GNDU and the Divisional Units are supported in their work by officers in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. Furthermore, as the Deputy will appreciate, Gardaí generally deal with drug related issues as they arise. Data provided by the Gardaí concerning the number, volume and value of drug seizures for the period 2000-2006 inclusive, demonstrates the operational success of the intelligence-led approach taken by the Gardaí.

Meanwhile, drug seizures by the Customs Service have also significantly increased in recent years, as have the number of supply detections. I understand that the Customs Service is to acquire a second customs cutter and a second mobile container X-ray scanner and that these will be deployed next year. The increased use of sniffer dogs has also proved fruitful. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that trade in illicit drugs is a global phenomenon and no country has fully come to grips with it. There has been a sharp increase in the production of heroin in Afghanistan and this has resulted in an increasing supply in Europe. Similarly, production of cocaine continues strongly, with the resultant implications for supply in Europe.

Among the recent initiatives at international level is the establishment in May 2007 of the Maritime Analysis and Operational Centre — Narcotics (MAOC-N), based in Lisbon. It is expected that this Centre which involves seven EU countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, UK, Netherlands and Ireland), will provide significant benefits in the gathering of intelligence about air and sea routes for drug trafficking via West Africa. The U.S. also has a number of liaison officers attached to the Centre. In fulfilling its role, Ireland is deploying both Garda and Customs personnel to Lisbon. In addition, the Deputy should note that I plan to liaise regularly with Garda and Customs representatives to keep up-to-date with developments in respect of their drug-related operations. Reports on their progress are also made on a quarterly basis to the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs, which I chair. Gardaí are also represented on Local and Regional Drugs Tasks Forces.

Finally, the Deputy should note that in the context of the consultation process for a new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, my officials and I recently met with senior officers from the Gardaí and the Customs Service. In these discussions, they both confirmed their commitment that supply reduction of illicit drugs will remain a priority for them over the coming years and that they will be key players in the roll-out of the new Strategy.