FF Publish New National Drugs Policy

Fianna Fáil has published a new National Drugs Action Plan, in response to what it has called "the escalating drugs crisis".

Announcing the publication, the party's spokesperson on Justice, Niall Collins, said the plan is as a result of extensive consultation with groups, agencies and individuals working to tackle drug abuse at community level.

"There is an overwhelming sense that the drugs crisis has slipped off the Government's agenda. A complete lack of political leadership has created a crisis in services on the ground and a breakdown of communication between the relevant bodies at community level," Deputy Collins said.

The key proposals include:

• Reappointing a Minister for Drugs with responsibility for pulling together all the existing services in the areas of health, justice, social services and local government

• Radical changes in the national response to the drugs crisis, which is currently too focused on treatment for heroin addicts

• Implement a National Substance Misuse Strategy to respond to the shifts in patterns of drug use.

Deputy Collins added: "Drug related crime and drug intimidation is out of control. Drug users are being intimidated into carrying drugs or dealing themselves in order pay dealers and prevent their families from being harassed.

"The gardaí are currently not being supported in tackling this to the extent that is needed due to a slash and burn of their resources. Fianna Fáil will develop a Drug Related Intimidation Strategy to support users and their families who are currently tortured by drug debt. We will also reinstate the Garda Divisional Drugs Units that have been cut dramatically over the past three years.

"We are also proposing a series of measures to ensure that drugs users, their families and those at risk of drug use get the support they need at a much earlier stage.

"This includes strengthening the roles of Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforces, ensuring that treatment and rehabilitation services have comprehensive aftercare structures given the extremely high level of relapse, establishing support programmes in schools and establishing family support programmes for the children of drug users."

(MH/JP)