asked the Minister for Health if he will give an account to date of the progress made since the working party on drug abuse was instituted; whether this working party have noted the findings of a private group studying the same problem who issued their report recently; and when he expects a clinic to be provided to deal with the problem.

The working party on Drug Abuse has held four meetings to date. Their specific programme is, however, a matter for determination by the group.

The working party is aware of the recent press account of the work of the group referred to by the Deputy and will, no doubt, be interested in receiving the report of their findings when available. The working party advertised in the newspapers last week-end inviting interested persons and bodies to submit information regarding drug abuse.

I have the question of the provision of a special clinic and its staffing under active consideration.

Is the Minister not well aware that drug abuse definitely seems to be on the increase, that there were 90 prosecutions last year and it is now estimated that there will be at least 500 drug addicts in this country this year? In view of the number of precautions taken in this country during the foot and mouth crisis when we were dealing with cattle and for which every credit is due to the Government, does he not think it is more necessary to take precautions now in view of the fact that we are dealing with human beings and that this is a crisis? Does the Minister not agree that something should be done immediately? The longer action is delayed the more young people, unfortunately, will become drug addicts. This is a great scourge?

Let that statement not be taken at its face value.

All I can say is that the working party I have set up will report to me as soon as possible.

Deputy Carter does not know what he is talking about. Does the Minister not know that this is on the increase and that there were at least 90 prosecutions last year and that a voluntary body has come up with a report showing that there will be at least 500 affected by taking drugs this year?

Do not mind everything the Deputy says.

Rip Van Winkle is awake. He has been asleep for the last five years.

Were there 90 prosecutions in County Westmeath?

That is the total.

As I said, I set up this working party and any evidence that is available on this matter should be given to them. I have every confidence in their ability to do their job well. I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers.

92.

asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report that young persons were found in a drugged condition on the public road; and if in view of the seriousness of the drug problem he will take some definite action immediately to deal with the problem of drug abuse.

I have seen a recent report of four young persons being found in a drugged condition on a public road in Dublin.

As the Deputy is aware I have set up a working party which is examining certain aspects of drug abuse and will report to me on the matter.

In the meantime I have taken certain steps with a view to preventing drug abuse. The heads of legislation making the unauthorised possession of what are generally termed "soft drugs" an offence have been prepared and I hope soon to obtain the approval of the Government to the introduction of legislation incorporating these proposals.

Officers of my Department have recently paid a fact-finding visit to Britain to make themselves up-to-date with experience there.

I have written to health authorities, hospitals, nursing homes and manufacturers and wholesalers of drugs advising them to review their arrangements for the safe-keeping and distribution of drugs liable to misuse to ensure that they do not fall into wrong hands.

I have also the question of the provision and staffing of a special clinic in Dublin for drug addicts under active consideration.

I was going to inquire whether there is a clinic or whether it was intended to set up a clinic? There is, in fact, no place to which those unfortunate people can go except Mountjoy. It is treatment those people want not jail. Is it the intention to establish a clinic?

Yes, as soon as possible.

Those people who are bringing drugs into the country should be prosecuted and heavily fined. I am not sure whether it is the Minister's duty to request district justices to impose the severest fines on those people.

That is a separate question.

Perhaps, the Deputy's statement will be a help in that direction.