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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Drug misuse and young people

Summary

Deputy Ward warned about nitrous oxide misuse and discarded canisters in his area, calling for action under the programme for Government. The Taoiseach said the best defence was early self-esteem and prevention programmes, and offered to work with the Deputy on suitable measures.

I want to bring the Taoiseach's attention to page 56 of the programme of Government, which references a commitment to resource harm reduction and education campaigns in regard to drug misuse. That is around nitrous oxide, or laughing gas as it is commonly known, in particular. One only has to walk around my area of Dublin Mid-West to see discarded silver canisters and silver bullets in our parks and on the ground where young children are starting to experiment with these drugs, which poses a danger. This substance gives these young children a very quick high. They are playing Russian roulette with it. They do not know how it will affect them until they take this drug.

I welcome the news that as of this week it has been added on to drugs.ie after I asked the previous Minister to look into it. This will give parents and children factual and relevant information. Will the Government commit resources to an education campaign on nitrous oxide in schools?

Comment on this

I cannot see the Deputy in the hall. I will take what he says on board. As I said yesterday, my own view on drug and alcohol abuse where children and young people are concerned is that the most effective defence is the development of self-esteem and self-respect in children at the earliest age. Programmes designed to facilitate that are the most effective approach. That is what psychologists and the people involved say. Highlighting one particular drug does not tend to be effective in the long term. That said, I am happy to work with the Deputy to see what types of programmes can be pursued in local schools to address specific forms of substance abuse. There must be a community-based response to the emergence of drug abuse of this kind.

Comment on this