Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the publication by the Health Research Board of research showing the number of deaths indirectly caused by drugs over the eight year period between 1998 and 2005; the number of such deaths in this period; the steps he is taking to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8394/10]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome this report by the Health Research Board. It is a follow-on publication from the National Drugs Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) which was completed in late 2008. The NDRDI identified deaths in the 1998-2005 period that were directly and indirectly related to drug-taking and the recent publication goes into more detail on the indirect deaths.

The data presented shows an increasing number of deaths that are indirectly related to drug-taking, rising from 63 in 1998 to 167 in 2005. The total number of deaths over the period was 885. These deaths arose from traumatic and from medical causes and I extend my deepest sympathy to everyone affected by them.

I hope that this publication will serve to re-emphasise the message of the dangers of drugs. Apart from being a direct cause of death, drug-taking can cause heart attacks, strokes, seizures, chest problems and mental health problems, as well as leading to deaths involving accidents, hangings and violence.

Finally, the Deputy should note that work is underway on the drawing up of a National Overdose Prevention Strategy, as part of the response to tackling drug-related deaths, in line with Action 40 of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016.