20 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress, if any, made to date in implementing the recommendations contained in the two reports produced by the ministerial task force to reduce the demand for drugs; the main recommendations to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7393/99]

In its two reports, the ministerial task force made a series of recommendations across a range of areas to address the problem of the demand for drugs, including the establishment of structures at national and local level to co-ordinate a response to the problem. As the Deputy will be aware, a Cabinet drugs committee, the national drugs strategy team and 13 local drugs task forces were set up arising out of those recommendations.

The national drugs strategy team comprises representatives from relevant Government Departments and agencies, along with two persons who bring the perspectives of the voluntary and community sectors to its work. The team's brief is to ensure effective co-ordination between Departments and agencies in implementing the Government's drugs initiative as well as monitoring developments at local level.