Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had consultations with the Department of Health and Children or health organisations such as the World Health Organisation, or his fellow EU Ministers or at EU level in regard to research on the effects of the created drug Cocathlyne on persons who use cocaine and alcohol; if there has been further research results in regard to this drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34207/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I have not had recent consultations with the Department of Health & Children, nor with the other parties referred to by the Deputy, in regard to research on the effects of cocaethylene. However, much is already known about its effects.

The 2007 report of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs entitled "An Overview of Cocaine Use in Ireland II" identified the well established risks associated with cocaethylene, which is a naturally produced by-product when cocaine and alcohol are combined.

When people mix these substances, the human liver combines them in the system to form cocaethylene and this is more toxic than using either drug alone. Data from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System confirm that cocaine and alcohol are being used together. The combination of the two drugs intensifies euphoric effects, but cocaethylene can cause more serious physical harm, particularly to the cardiovascular system, as well as having the potential to increase the risk of sudden death.

Heightening awareness of the risks associated with the combined use of alcohol and cocaine was a fundamental element of the national cocaine awareness campaign undertaken by the HSE in 2008. Allied to this, Drugs Task Forces, with funding provided by my Department, undertook local campaigns at that time to dovetail with the national campaign.

Furthermore, the recently launched National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 places particular emphasis on prevention. Various prevention and education interventions are planned, focusing on young people, both in the school and the non-school setting, as well as on the overall population. A sustained range of awareness campaigns is envisaged as part of this approach.