asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in implementing the recommendations of the ministerial (Ministers of State) task force on drug abuse.

I would refer to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of December 1983 in which I outlined the steps which had been taken to implement the recommendations of the task force at that time. The following is an outline of the progress which has been made in this area since my reply of 6 December 1983:

On the law enforcement side the draft heads of a Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, as recommended by the task force, have been submitted to Government for approval and the Government have now given approval. This Bill will allow easier enforcement of the Act's provisions. The Second Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill has been concluded in the Dáil. The recommendation relating to the appointment of one Judge of the Circuit Court and one district justice who would have special responsibility for all cases involving drug offences in the Dublin area is being pursued by the appropriate authorities. So also is the recommendation relating to the appointment of one solicitor in the Chief State Solicitor's Office who would specialise in drug offence casework.

On the education side the set of five videos which was developed by the Department of Education in conjunction with the Health Education Bureau, is now being tried out on an experimental basis with about 38 groups of young people in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, North Tipperary, North West, North East, South East and the Midlands and is targeted at early school leavers.

I have made money available to Trinity College to provide a diploma course in addiction studies. This course commenced in January 1984 and provides specialised training for workers in direct contact with drug abusers and their families. Such workers include social workers, teachers, guidance counsellors and the Garda.

The new Curriculum and Examinations Board are also being asked to consider the introduction of a "life skills" programme in schools, as a matter of priority, with such a programme incorporating health education, including drug education.

On the health side St. James's Hospital Board have agreed in principle, following consultations with officers of my Department, to provide a bed facility for the treatment of drug abusers and the details are now being worked out. A formal submission is also expected in the near future from the Jervis Street Hospital authorities about the development of facilities there. The Eastern Health Board are also preparing a formal submission on the question of providing a suitable therapeutic model for the treatment of drug abusers from socially and educationally deprived backgrounds — particularly those in the 12-16 age group. This follows consultations with officers of my Department and with representatives of Coolmine Therapeutic Community. The Medico-Social Research Board have already done preliminary work on the four research projects which were recommended by the task force.

On the Youth and Community Development side the task force have met the Health Education Bureau, Cospóir, the National Youth Council and the National Youth Policy Committee since 6 December 1983. The task force are currently examining, in conjunction with all of the organisations involved, how the existing services are integrated at the point of delivery and how these services might be improved where necessary.

It will be clear from this that all of these recommendations are being vigorously pursued.

I would like to thank the Minister for his detailed reply to my question. There are a couple of points I would like him to clarify for me. One of the recommendations of the task force was the strengthening of the drug squad. Has that been done yet? There is also the question of the discussions taking place between the HEB, YEA, Cospóir and so forth. When does the Minister expect their deliberations to be completed? I am sure he is aware the recommendation was that they would come up with some programme for areas which were at high risk, such as the Ballymun area, some areas in Cork and Dún Laoghaire as well as the inner city area. When will these discussions end and when will a permanent programme be produced? There is a suggestion that at least one teacher in each school will have some expertise in the drugs area. Has any progress been made in that direction?

There is still a good deal of work to be done. The Minister for Justice is keeping a very close eye on the capabilities of the Garda drug squad and any assistance which is required by them will be provided. I would point out that the general detection rate has improved considerably. This is largely due to the excellent work being done by the Garda. There are about 37 gardaí involved in the drug squad. My Department and the Department of Justice, who are directly responsible, will keep in very close touch with the work of the drug squad in this area. The work in the youth and community development area is at the initial stages. I will bring every pressure to bear on the task force Ministers to bring forward precise and concrete proposals in this area. I share the view that in each school there should be a teacher who at least has had basic information training on the question of drug abuse. We have a long way to go in that regard and I am continuing my review with the Minister for Education in that area. I share the Deputy's view that in the Ballymun area, for example, a lot of work still remains to be done.