Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent report produced by an organisation (details supplied), showing that they are catering for 20 new heroin addictions per week and that the abuse of heroin is spreading in many towns here; his views on this report; the additional steps he will take to address this problem and to reduce the demand for heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34191/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the report in question and I note that it states that, in 2008, nearly 1,000 new attendees accessed the needle exchange facilities provided by the organisation. However, this figure is in respect of new cases only, and it represents a reduction on the corresponding figure of 1,333 reported by the same organisation for 2007. Overall, the latest report advises that 4,657 individuals attended the needle exchange facilities and this also shows a slight decrease on the 4,705 recorded in the organisation's 2007 report.

Nevertheless, it is, undoubtedly, a matter of concern that 1,000 new cases have come forward in 2008 and there is a need to improve our prevention strategies, as set out in the recently published National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. At the same time, increasing numbers in treatment is something that we are striving to achieve, with a view to moving them towards a drug-free life.

Overall it is encouraging that injecting opiate users are making the first steps to access treatment services as this will help to reduce the risks of the spread of blood borne viruses, improve the overall health of individuals and is likely to encourage some opiate users, at least, to engage further with treatment and rehabilitation services.

The indications are that the use of heroin has stabilised in the Dublin region. However, heroin has become more widely dispersed around the country — in particular in the major cities and in Leinster towns. I accept that heroin remains a very significant problem and responding to it remains as a fundamental element of the new Strategy.

Through the implementation of the demand reduction actions under the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation pillars of the new Strategy, I intend that demand for all illicit drugs, including heroin, will be reduced.

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. Furthermore, I recently announced the allocation of funding for the continuation of the successful "Dial to Stop Drugs" campaign. The new Strategy also envisages the development of a national integrated treatment and rehabilitation service and every effort will be made to encourage drug users to engage with the services. In this context, the Deputy should note that I recently allocated capital funding of €1.1m towards the fast tracked development of six treatment clinics in Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Enniscorthy, Drogheda and Dundalk. It is expected that some of these clinics will be in operation by the end of the year, with treatment being available in all six locations early in 2010.

I am determined that real progress will be made across the period of the new Strategy, with all sectors working in a co-ordinated and targeted way, to achieve the implementation of the agreed actions.