DECRIMINALISATION of drug use in Portugal has not made the country a "paradise" for users or resulted in more children taking drugs, according to the country's drugs chief. Dr Joao Goulao said the policy was part of a comprehensive strategy which has led to reduced drug consumption among adolescents, falling heroin use and a reduced burden on the criminal justice system. Junior Health Minister Roisin Shortall, who is in charge of Ireland's drugs strategy, said she had an "open mind" in relation to Portugal's model. She said she was "particularly interested" in the country's "yellow card" system, which warned users about their behaviour and tried to steer them away from drugs. [continues 391 words]
SOCIETY needs to make a distinction between drug use and drug misuse and should consider the legal supply of drugs. This call was made by veteran homelessness campaigner Fr Peter McVerry in a speech at a conference on drugs last night. Fr McVerry said adults should take a "long and critical" look at their own drug use, namely alcohol and prescription drugs, such as valium. "It is hypocritical to expect our young people to stay away from drugs, when we adults won't," he told the conference, organised by the Addiction Training Institute. [continues 465 words]
THE minister in charge of the drugs strategy has "serious concerns" about this year's cocaine awareness campaign, which cost in the region of UKP500,000. John Curran conceded he has serious concerns that the state didn't get out the right message on cocaine to young people. "Certainly, I don't feel the campaign really delivered a strong enough message," said Mr Curran. "I'm not sure running a single drug campaign is the way to go, I've serious concerns about it." [continues 257 words]
A NATIONAL hotline to combat drug dealing is to be rolled out across the country from this autumn. The confidential phoneline is aimed at providing "intimidated communities" a safe way to pass on information anonymously about drug dealing in their areas, and indirectly, to gardai. The national programme is based on the success of two local initiatives in Dublin (in Blanchardstown and the north-inner city) which have assisted Garda inquiries, leading to the arrest of suspected dealers. The joint effort by the National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST) and the Garda has received funding of E350,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund and the Department of Justice. [continues 228 words]
CANNABIS is less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco, according to a major review published by the EU drugs agency. The report said most users cease smoking cannabis by their late 20s or early 30s and that the vast majority did not experience any negative effects. "On every comparison of dangerousness we have considered, cannabis is at or near the bottom in comparison with other psychoactive substances," said author Robin Room, in an analysis contained in a 700-page EU report on cannabis. [continues 346 words]
COCAINE is a "fun" and "feel-good" drug which users take with their friends, research has revealed. But most users say they are suffering financially and many admit cocaine is affecting their relationships. The survey shows cocaine users "greatly underestimate" the health and personal risks from the drug. The research contradicts the perception that drugs are "pushed" on young people, with the vast majority getting cocaine from friends. The survey is being published today to coincide with the launch of the National Drugs Awareness Campaign, which this year is focusing exclusively on cocaine. [continues 206 words]
THE last national drug awareness campaign was riddled with problems and ultimately "fell short" of its objectives, according to an independent review. The publication of the report comes as the Government prepares to launch its latest campaign against the background of a worsening drugs problem and a number of high-profile deaths, including Katy French. In a detailed study, the review said: * the campaign was badly limited by poor funding. * the steering committee "disintegrated" over time. * there was a lack of clarity about who the campaign was aimed at and what its objectives were. [continues 307 words]
DRUGS are cheaper than ever across Europe, including Ireland, according to an EU report. The drop in prices is despite the fact that greater quantities of drugs, particularly cocaine and heroin, are being seized by police and customs officials. The prices of cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines have dropped in real terms by around 20%, on average across Europe, while the prices of heroin and ecstasy have dropped by almost 50%. That's according to a five-year analysis of the period 1999 to 2004 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the first study of its type. [continues 261 words]
NO Irish Government is going to legalise cannabis because it causes cancer, a former Minister of State with responsibility for drugs said yesterday. Fianna Fail MEP Eoin Ryan said the State would end up being sued in the courts if it legalised cannabis, similar to tobacco companies being sued in relation to cigarettes. He was speaking at a conference in Dublin, which also heard calls from a retired US chief of police for an end to the war on drugs and a move towards legalisation. Mr Ryan said: a€oeWhat politician is going to get up and say legalise drugs. The problem is if a minister wanted to legalise cannabis, he would get endless amounts of medical evidence that cannabis is carcinogenic.a€ [continues 382 words]
THE number of people seeking treatment for cocaine abuse has doubled, according to new national figures. The data shows that 311 people reported cocaine as their main drug of abuse in 2003, compared to 155 in 2002. A further 2,244 people said cocaine was a secondary problem drug in addition to their main drug of abuse, such as heroin. This compares to 1,716 in 2002 an increase of 30%. The two figures combined show that 2,555 people reported cocaine as one of their problem drugs in 2003, compared to 1,871 in 2002. [continues 353 words]
EIGHT out of 10 people who use cannabis get their drugs from friends or family, new research shows. A national survey found only 4% of cannabis users bought or were given the drug by strangers. "This information contradicts the popular view of the dealer as someone completely unknown to the user," said Dr Des Corrigan, chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD). The NACD research shows that 78% of people who used cannabis recently were either given the drug by family or friends, bought it from a friend or shared the drug among friends. [continues 264 words]
REHABILITATION of drug addicts is the new priority of the Government's national drugs strategy, as figures show that the number being treated with methadone has more than doubled. Alcohol will not become part of the strategy, despite calls from community and voluntary groups as well as medical experts that it be included. With more than 7,500 recovering heroin addicts on methadone maintenance, the Government said it needs to provide these people with more than just a substitute drug. "Given the increase on the treatment side, from about 3,500 people to over 7,500, we need to be doing more with those people," said one source. [continues 202 words]
ORGANISED criminals in Ireland know each other and often co-operate in conducting criminal activities, according to a major new report. This makes Ireland virtually unique in Europe and partly explains why foreign nationals are not yet significant players in organised crime here. But the 2004 European Union Organised Crime Report warns that certain ethnic organised crime (OC) groups, such as the Chinese, are becoming increasingly active throughout the EU. Ireland, which has a significant Chinese community, has already seen the involvement of Chinese gangs in areas such as people smuggling, extortion, prostitution and the production of synthetic drugs. [continues 291 words]
ANTI-DRUG campaigners and medical experts here and abroad yesterday rejected claims that ecstasy was not as dangerous as had been believed. Three British psychologists said ecstasy did not cause long-term health problems contrary to a vast volume of studies. Responding, Grainne Kenny of Europe Against Drugs said: "The studies are there and show ecstasy causes brain damage and depression and those studies have been very carefully done." Dr Jim Donovan of the State Forensic Science Laboratory said ecstasy damaged the production of serotonin the chemical that gives the 'feel good' experience. [continues 207 words]
IRELAND has the highest levels of ecstasy and amphetamine use in western Europe, according to a UN report. The study, Global Illicit Trends 2002, estimates 66,000 (2.4%) people aged 15 and over take ecstasy at least once a year. The report estimates that 72,000 (2.6%) people take amphetamines, commonly known as speed. The UN study found, of the 23 countries in western Europe, Ireland also has the: Joint highest use of cannabis, with Britain. Third highest use of cocaine. [continues 403 words]
THE Department of Justice yesterday ruled out changes in drug laws following calls for the Government to follow Britain's example in making possession of cannabis a non-arrestable offence. "The evidence from Britain would certainly suggest the Government should look at this issue again," said Liam Herrick of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. "Police there felt an excessive amount of time was being spent on an issue that doesn't have any obvious social harms and was hampering police ability to tackle more serious drug-related crime." [continues 319 words]
THE value of drugs seized by customs officials jumped by more than 500% last year, with (euro)60.6m worth discovered in 2001. The bulk of the rise was due to an increase of more than 10,000% in seizures of herbal cannabis, the lesser used but more potent type of the drug. "We've had a highly successful year in the drugs area, but we're not complacent. This is a very difficult trade to intercept," said Frank Daly, chairman of the Revenue Commissioners. [continues 385 words]
Tough anti-drugs legislation is pulling families apart, a conference heard yesterday. Traumatised parents are being forced to either kick their addict son or daughter out of the family home or be evicted themselves. "Parents are having to evict their own children, putting them out on the streets. This is putting them through unimaginable trauma," said Cathal Holland, a community development worker in Ballymun, Dublin. "Families are being torn apart and parents are living with extreme guilt, because once a kid is put out of the home they are lost to the family." [continues 323 words]
GARDAI and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) are to launch a major crackdown on local drug dealers across the country. In an expansion of Operation Cleanstreet, CAB will target the assets of known drug dealers. Local Garda drug units will also be given additional resources. Several hundred street suppliers have been brought before the courts, primarily in Dublin, under Operation Cleanstreet since its inception over six years ago. As part of the undercover operation, detectives buy drugs from dealers and later arrest them. Its success has prompted Justice Minister John O'Donoghue to widen the scope of the operation. [continues 272 words]
PRISON officers are objecting to plans to distribute syringe-cleaning tablets to jailed heroin addicts. Wardens say the bleach tablets will not clean syringes of the most dangerous and widespread disease - hepatitis. They fear the next step will be to distribute clean syringes, which officers say is like giving out a loaded gun. "Prison officers have a huge concern. If you introduce bleach tablets to clean syringes, one thing it won't clean is the most dangerous virus, hepatitis C," said Prison Officers' association president Eugene Dennehy. "We're concerned that the next logical step, not today or tomorrow, but two or three years down the road, is a needle exchange in prison. This needle is worse than a loaded gun to our guys." An estimated 70% of intravenous drug-users in prison have hepatitis C. [continues 313 words]
FAMILY doctors are the best people to treat heroin addicts trying to come off the drug, according to research, but not enough doctors are treating addicts and more GPs and pharmacists are badly needed in order to reduce the waiting list for methadone treatment. Pharmacists are refusing to take on new clients in a row with the Department of Health over deregulation of the industry. Health authorities and voluntary groups working with addicts have warned this will create a backlog in the system and add to waiting lists, causing hardship for addicts and their families. [continues 123 words]
The decision by chemists to stop dispensing methadone to new recovering heroin addicts will have a major effect on waiting lists, if it continues, health authorities warned, yesterday. People working with addicts have criticised the move by pharmacists - which is being taken in protest over the Government's plans to deregulate the industry. "While the action is currently having some effect on our services, if it were to continue for a long period it would have a significant effect on the waiting list," said a spokesman for the South West Area Health Board. There are currently 2,400 clients receiving services in the SWAHB, with 190 on the waiting list. The service is provided by approximately 60 GPs, 70 pharmacies and 26 treatment centres. The Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) said it will continue to treat existing clients and emergency cases. [continues 126 words]
SHOCK tactics in anti-drug messages will play no part in the latest awareness campaign because they don't work, the Government's drugs chief said yesterday. Minister of State Eoin Ryan said the eagerly awaited campaign - a central plank of the Government's National Drugs Strategy - had been delayed due to teething difficulties. "We have been told by professionals that we cannot just put a simplistic campaign out on the street because it's not going to work," said Mr Ryan as he announced details of €28million funding for drugs task forces. [continues 317 words]
JUSTICE Minister John O'Donoghue has ordered a review of stringent drug laws amid concerns that judges are failing to hand down mandatory sentences for traffickers. The minister is considering whether certain conditions exempting judges from imposing a mandatory 10-year-sentence for those caught with drugs with a street value of =A310,000 or more should be tightened up. "While I am satisfied that the provisions have had a beneficial effect, I am, nevertheless, examining the provisions in the context of forthcoming criminal justice legislation with a view, if such is necessary, to further strengthening the law in this area," he said. [continues 330 words]
A new drugs chief is to clean up Dublin's prisons after a series of damning reports highlighting the chronic hard drugs problem and high rates of infectious diseases in the capital's jails. The bulk of the country's problem is concentrated in prisons in the Dublin region. The appointment of the Co-ordinator of Prison Drug Treatment Services is expected to be taken up early in the New Year. A spokesman for the Prison Service said the position was initially recommended in the First Report of the Steering Group on Prison Based Drug Treatment Services in July 2000. "The report recommended the appointment of a senior figure from the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) for the overall co-ordination of substance misuse services for all prisons in the Dublin area," he said. [continues 198 words]
Cormac O'Keeffe reports on Europe's attitude to drugs. ON the face of it Portugal has gone farther than any other country in Europe in decriminalising drugs. The possession of all illegal drugs, not just cannabis, will no longer be a criminal offence in the country. The radical move is the latest in an apparent trend across Europe to soften attitudes to drugs, particularly cannabis. The possession of drugs is still technically illegal in all countries, because of obligations to UN treaties ruling out legalisation for drugs. [continues 507 words]
GARDAi are to offer an amnesty to heroin users in a bid to halt the spread of a deadly batch of the drug suspected of killing a user in Scotland. One addict in Scotland died from a rare flesh-eating bug and another had his leg amputated following a similar infection. Three heroin users are being treated in Dublin hospitals with unexplained symptoms, thought to be similar to those in Scotland. Samples from the three users are being tested in Britain, but initial indications suggest they are unlikely to be the result of contaminated heroin. [continues 398 words]
A national blueprint for tackling drugs was launched yesterday by the Government. The seven-year plan sets, for the first time, clear targets for Government departments and state agencies. Launching the detailed report, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the Government was determined to implement the strategy with a sense of urgency and momentum. "It marks a departure by setting out specific objectives, as well as 100 actions, with an agency or agencies assigned accountability for the delivery of each action." Regional drug task forces -- modelled on the 14 existing local drug task forces in Dublin and Cork -- will be set up in each health board area to develop local strategies. [continues 158 words]
Heroin abuse is on the increase, with more parts of the country in the grip of the Class A drug. Cities, such as Limerick and Galway, have developed a hard-core problem within the last 12-18 months. Heroin is also spreading beyond cities and large towns to rural areas, such as south Monaghan and south Cavan. The alarming development comes as the Government prepares to publish its National Drugs Strategy Review later this week. "In the past 12 to 18 months, heroin abuse has been taking place in Limerick, and there's evidence that people from surrounding areas are coming here for supplies," said Det Sgt John Heelan of the Limerick Drugs Unit. [continues 273 words]
MORE than 70 people were victims of drug rape last year, an increase of 100% on 2000, students were told yesterday. The startling statistics emerged as the national student body, USI, launched a campaign to raise awareness of rape involving tranquillising drugs such as rohypnol. "Drug assisted sexual violence has become a major problem in every part of the country, and is growing," said Fiona Neary of the network of Rape Crisis Centres. She said that more than 70 victims were likely to have suffered. Drug rape is vastly underrated, as most victims are unable to remember what had happened to them, she said. [continues 333 words]
Tragic runaway teenager Kim O'Donovan died of a heroin overdose just four days before her 16th birthday. The 15 year old, who was found dead a month after she escaped from a health board home, had only been using heroin for a short time when she had her fatal overdose. A heroin user who was with Kim when she died, told her inquest that he had bought a gram and a half of heroin on the night of the tragedy. [continues 173 words]
The first day of the new Drug Court got off to a relatively smooth start yesterday. Six applicants were brought before Judge Gerard Haughton, who requested that each of them be assessed by medical staff to see if they were suitable for the Drug Court's programme. The Drug Court offers a supervised treatment and rehabilitation regime to non violent drug offenders instead of a prison sentence. "This is not going to be easy; it's not supposed to be easy, but with help you will be able to get through it, if you want to," said Judge Haughton to one of the defendants, Gregory Walsh. [continues 294 words]
The first case due before the new Drug Court, yesterday, was put back until next week. The postponement came after experts judged that the defendant in the case was not yet able to comply with the court's treatment regime. "The client is not yet ready to be taken onto the programme," said a spokesman for the Courts Service, which operates the new court. "He is not yet at the emotional stage to recognise that he needs to challenge his behaviour." [continues 302 words]
Government plans for Drug Courts have been thrown into chaos because doctors will refuse to treat drug offenders when the first such court opens on Tuesday. The decision by GPs means the pilot Drug Court will be badly crippled when it begins operating. "We have placed an embargo on GPs co operating with the Drug Court," said Dr Cathal O'Sullivan of GPs Specialising in Substance Abuse (GPSSA). This includes the City Clinic in Dublin's north inner city, where the vast majority of referrals from the Drug Court will be sent. [continues 355 words]
THE only time Paddy Doyle's spasms stop is when he falls asleep. Doctors have described his condition as the equivalent of being in a gym eight hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. "It's constant involuntary movement which affects the whole body," he said. Mr Doyle, from Inchicore in Dublin, suffers from an incurable disease called Dystonia. "I take loads of pills for my condition, but they don't do any good. The only time I've had relief is when I've smoked cannabis." [continues 251 words]
PATIENTS with chronic pain may soon be given cannabis to ease their suffering as the Government considers legalising the drug for medicinal purposes. Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Eoin Ryan said the Government would consider the initiative after meeting his British counterpart Mo Mowlam in Dublin earlier this week. Minister Mowlam, who heads the UK Drugs Strategy, said she hoped to have a cannabis prescription system in place by 2003. A Government backed trial was due to be completed by the end of next year, after which the cannabis based product would go before the British medical regulatory body for approval, she said. [continues 482 words]
The Government is to consider decriminalising cannabis for medicinal purposes, the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Eoin Ryan, said yesterday. After a meeting with his British counterpart, Mo Mowlam, who briefed him on her plans to allow cannabis to be used to relieve pain, Minister Ryan said he would look at the use of the drug as a possible treatment for chronic pain. "Mo Mowlam was telling me about this development and it is something we will be looking at. People recognise it does relieve pain and nausea. [continues 275 words]
A man facing drugs charges was yesterday gunned down at his home by two masked men. Donal Keenan, 24, was seriously injured after being shot in the stomach and right elbow. The attack took place early in the morning at the man's home at Galtymore Close in Drimnagh, south west Dublin. Mr Keenan was charged last week in relation to the possession of a substantial amount of ecstasy. It is suspected that dealers in business with Mr Keenan may have carried out the attack. [continues 271 words]
There were moving scenes in the Dublin City Coroner's Court as the devastated relatives of four men heard their loved ones had died after taking various drug cocktails. Coroner Dr Brian Farrell tried to console the grieving families and warned of the dangers of using a cocktail of methadone, benzodiazepines (a prescribed sedative) and heroin. Martin O'Shea, 17, from Coolock, Shane Fitzgerald, 21, from Fatima Mansions and George Lennon, 24, of Templeogue all died after taking some or all of these drugs. [continues 199 words]
Bishop Pat Buckley will this morning illegally provide a heroin addict with methadone in an attempt to get him off the drug. Bishop Buckley, who's own nephew committed suicide as a result of drug addiction three years ago, said he decided to help the addict, called Fred, after he was told he had to wait up to six months for treatment. "Fred will administer the methadone himself, but under my supervision," said Bishop Buckley. The bishop, who attempted to buy methadone on the street in Dublin on Tuesday night, made an appeal on the Marian Finucane radio show yesterday for help. [continues 357 words]
The Minister in charge of the Government's National Drugs Strategy said he was unhappy with the number of heroin seizures. Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Eoin Ryan, said he was concerned that while overall drug seizures increased, the number of heroin seizures actually fell. "Considering heroin is doing the most damage, I would like to see more heroin seizures by gardai. There's an awful lot of seizures of other drugs. That's good work, but I'd definitely like to see more heroin seizures."He said he realised heroin arriving in smaller packages than most other drugs, and was therefore more difficult to find. But he added: "I would love to see the level of heroin seizures way up, much higher than it is at present." [continues 305 words]
The coroner could not find the words to describe the tragedy that had befallen Hugh and Eileen Harris. In the space of just three weeks the polite, quietly spoken Dublin parents had lost their two sons. On October 31, 1999, Hugh junior died. A long time heroin addict, he took a deadly cocktail of methadone, the heroin substitute, and two types of sedatives. Three weeks later on the November 21, their other son, Paul, died. Another heroin addict, Paul also took a lethal combination of drugs, including methadone. [continues 690 words]
There was a 5% increase in the number of drug seizures last year, although gardai are now channelling greater resources into tackling drink driving. "The figures show that there are a lot of drugs available," said Dr Jim Donovan, director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, where drugs seized by the gardai are tested. "The number of cases are a good indication that gardai are coming across drugs more easily. A lot of emphasis now is on drunkenness and drink driving, so the fact that they are still coming across a large number of cases is a good indication of availability," he said. [continues 369 words]
PRISON officials have made more than 600 drug seizures, including heroin and cannabis, in Irish jails over the last two years. Figures just released show there were at least 622 hauls between April 1998 and April 2000. However, informed sources believe this represents just a fraction of the amount of drugs being smuggled into jails. 93I'm not surprised by that amount, I would have thought it would be a lot more,94 said Dr Des Crowley, a medical officer in Mountjoy Jail. [continues 332 words]
SUCCESSIVE reports over the years have highlighted the scale of the drugs crisis in Irish prisons. The most recent report, by the Mountjoy Visiting Committee in 1998, found that up to 85% of prisoners had a history of drug abuse, and identified the infiltration of illegal drugs into Mountjoy as a serious problem. A report by Mountjoyís medical officer in charge of the detoxification programme at the end of last year was highly critical of the Department of Justice. The programme was not being prioritised by officials, said Dr Des Crowley, who was also critical of the discontinuation of a heroin addictís methadone treatment once they entered prison. [continues 584 words]
Frightening estimates of the real extent of drug addiction in this country are contained in a new report showing that almost 14,000 people are using hard drugs like heroin. According to the first countrywide study of the scale of the crisis, over 8,500 people are hooked on opiates like heroin and methadone, while a further 5,000 use them, but are not yet "problematic users". Significantly, Dr Catherine Comiskey of the National University of Ireland at Maynooth believes that official estimates of only 4,000 addicts "represents a serious underestimate of the true national prevalence of opiate use". [continues 123 words]
Over 8,500 Irish people are addicted to heroin, new research has revealed. A further 5,000 people are taking heroin or methadone, but are not yet problematic users. The report, carried out by Dr Catherine Comiskey of the National University of Ireland Maynooth, is the first country wide prevalence study of opiate heroin and methadone use. In her report, Dr Comiskey points out that the 8,500 figure only refers to problematic users, ie, those seeking treatment or hospital services. [continues 258 words]
You've Got A Great Cv, The Interview Went Very Well, You Think You've Got The Job ... But Not If The Cannabis You Smoked Last Night Turns Up In The Test Results. Cormac O'keeffe Reports On Drug Testing In The Workplace. Sarah had all the qualifications for the job. She had a computer degree and four years experience working in a young IT company. After doing the interview in the top US multinational she was informed that she had got the job. All she had to do was complete a medical examination. [continues 1783 words]
The plague of heroin is spreading out of the greater Dublin area to other towns and cities for the first time, an unpublished report from the Health Research Board has revealed. The number of drug addicts receiving treatment has jumped by almost 25 per cent, according to new figures. And research seen by the Sunday Independent shows an increasing number of drug abusers are injecting and becoming addicts while in their teens. According to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System's Statistical Bulletin for 1997 and 1998, the number of people being treated for drugs increased from 4,910 in 1997 to 6,043 in 1998. The figures do not include those people treated by GPs under the methadone treatment protocol, or those receiving treatment in prisons. The report shows that the typical addict is male, under 25, unemployed and an early school-leaver. [continues 489 words]
The brutal slayings in Amsterdam are a million miles from the love-happy world of Ireland's pill-popping clubbers, writes Cormac O'Keeffe. Few people going clubbing this weekend will be thinking about the murders of three young Irishmen in Holland. Many may have read about the young men from Co. Tipperary and Co. Clare who were tortured and executed over an apparent drug feud or drug debt with international criminals. But users of dance drugs, like ecstasy, will not make any personal connection between the brutal murders and their own hedonistic lifestyles. [continues 902 words]
