Taoiseach Brian Cowen today conceded that the issue of drug abuse continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing the State.
Speaking at the publication of the Government’s new National Drugs Strategy, which covers the period 2009-2016, Mr Cowen accepted the problem is growing.
A study by the Health Research Board, published last week, reported that heroin and cocaine use is steadily increasing across Ireland.
“Very significant progress has been made under the previous strategy, but the drugs problem continues to evolve and to throw up new challenges,” Mr Cowen said today.
He stressed the need to get across a strong prevention message to young people and added: “At this stage in the development of our drugs policies, it is vital that we seek out the potential in people for rehabilitation and strive to provide the circumstances in which such potential is most likely to be realised.”
The strategy makes 63 recommendations, ranging from monitoring the activities of “headshops” to a review of the operation and effectiveness of drug courts.
It also recommends that random roadside drug-testing of motorists should be implemented as soon as is technically and legally possible and says all drivers involved in fatal road crashes should be tested to ascertain the level of drugs they may have had in their system.
However, it is likely there will be concern about the ability of the Government to implement the strategy in the current economic climate.
Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy John Curran called on drug users, particularly those who see themselves as “so-called recreational drug users,” to take a hard look at themselves - "not only at the health and societal costs for themselves, but also at the costs inflicted on other people, particularly those in the communities most afflicted by gangland activity associated with the supply of drugs”.
Mr Curran announced he has allocated funding of €1.1 million towards the development by the HSE of drug treatment clinics in Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Enniscorthy, Drogheda and Dundalk. He also revealed that the HSE and the Irish Pharmacy Union have agreed a plan, supported by the Elton John Aids Foundation, to introduce needle-exchange services through community pharmacies in 65 new locations.
Drug addiction centre Merchants Quay Ireland criticised plans for the needle exchange service, saying the funding sent mixed signals about the determination to tackle the country's drug problems.
"If it is a government priority, it seems a bit odd that we're relying on an international charity to implement government priorities," director Tony Geoghegan said.
"It's for a three-year period but what's going to happen if the Elton John Foundation pulls out after the three-year period?
"It just seems a bit odd that if the Government is serious about something and are committed to doing something that they are relaying on charity to do it."
Fine Gael’s Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs spokesman Michael Ring said the drugs strategy “worryingly vague on money, targets and commitment” He said many of the recommendations come with a note on the current economic situation “which makes for little faith in their implementation”.
The strategy sets out new targets to ensure a reduction in supply of drugs and to ensure those needing treatment are seen more quickly. The targets include a 25 per cent increase in the number of supply detection cases by 2016 over 2008 figures and a 25 per cent increase in the volume of drugs seized by 2016. It also wants 20 local policing forums established and operating by 2012.
It seeks to ensure all problem drug users can access treatment within one month of assessment by 2012; all problem drug users under 18 access treatment within one week of assessment by 2012; a 25 per cent rise in residential rehabilitation places by 2012; and a reduction in early school leaving figures from 11.5 per cent in 2007 to 10 per cent by 2012.
The strategy, which says there is public concern about cocaine use, deals with alcohol abuse for the first time, with a chapter devoted to the extent of alcohol abuse in the State, its harmful effects and the need to delay the age of first drinking and the extent of binge- drinking. It says alcohol is seen as a gateway to illicit drug use and calls for greater enforcement strategies to ensure compliance with the prohibition on the sale of alcohol to people under 18, as well as giving consideration to more reforms of the licensing laws to combat the sale of alcohol to such people.
Other recommendations include ensuring substance use policies are implemented in all schools; expanding access to detox facilities and methadone services; developing national training standards for all involved in the provision of substance misuse service; including comprehensive coverage of problem substance issues in doctor training; establishing an office of the Minister for Drugs; increased security to eliminate supply of drugs in prisons; and having a framework to tackle intimidation in some communities.