Paul Murphy warns of crack cocaine epidemic in Tala

Mr Minister, I am going to presume that you heard and read some of the extensive coverage over the last couple of days about the tsunami of crack cocaine usage in Tala. I hope you have also read the report from the Tala Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. The bottom line is that this is an appeal for help from those who are on the front line. Let me just read a quote from the report. It is by far the biggest single problem facing the services and communities of the Tala Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. It is of epidemic proportions, and if it is not addressed immediately, it will dwarf the heroin epidemic of the 80s. It is a very stark warning for the Government. It is stark because the impact in terms of the devastation of people's lives and of communities is equally stark. It is a situation where women are pressured to engage in sex work, where people are unable to go to their local shop for fear of being offered or given drugs or pressured in terms of drug debt. It is absolutely destroying communities. There are incredible people doing incredible work in the various projects, but they are supporting people with their hands tied behind their back. On the one hand, because of the societal issues of massive inequality and deprivation, but also because, bluntly, they are insufficiently funded. The Tala Drugs and Alcohol Task Force is still suffering from the cutbacks between 2009 and 2013, where mainstream and interim funding were cut by over 20 per cent. It is incredible that with increased population, with increased drug usage and addiction problems, the Tala Drugs and Alcohol Task Force is still 100,000 euros less than it had in 2010. They need at least an extra million euros, and they need to hear that from the Government. I welcome this opportunity to update the House on the issue of crack cocaine in Tala, as highlighted in the report published by Tala Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. In response to Deputy Murphy, yes, I have listened to it on Morning Ireland and again this morning, and I have cited the report as well. To be quite honest with you, I would like to say that while I was shocked and horrified, I was aware as well at the same time of what crack cocaine is doing in your community. The focus of cocaine and crack cocaine as a drug is becoming more prevalent in Ireland. The latest data from the National Drug Treatment Report system for the seven-year period from 2014 to 2020 found an increase of almost 400 per cent in crack cocaine cases. Cases treated for crack cocaine as the main problem drug accounted for 16 per cent of all cocaine treatment last year. Crack cocaine use is a multi-dimensional problem that reflects social drug use in disadvantaged communities linked to unemployment, poverty and social exclusion. It is also an intergenerational issue, as some families and children are caught in a cycle of parental drug use. The drug use in disadvantaged communities such as Tala requires an interagency report involving Gorda Siocona, South Dublin County Council, South Dublin County Partnership, the HSE, the Education and Training Board, the Tala Drugs and Alcohol Task Force and community organisations. The whole of government approach is the basis for the national drugs strategy. The supply of illegal drugs such as crack cocaine and the extensive existence of drug-related intimidation are matters for Gorda Siocona. I am aware that in July on Gorda Siocona commenced Operation Tara to tackle street-level drug dealing. This vital work is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups, including the seizure by the Guardian in September of over €100,000 in cocaine and the MDMA in Tala. In response to the increase in crack cocaine, the HSE launched a harm reduction campaign entitled Cocaine Reduce the Harm and Crack Reduce the Harm. These campaigns provided up-to-date evidence based information in relation to cocaine. The HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline and Drugs.ie are also available to provide advice and referral to specialist services. The HSE is responsible for the provision of drug and alcohol services in Tala and surrounding areas. It invests £1.7 million in Tala drug treatment centres. It also provides outreach services and young counselling services in the area. The HSE provides £1.08 million to eight Section 39 drugs and alcohol services in the Tala area, two of which operate crack cocaine projects in Jobstown and Killing Arden. It also provides New Hope residential services with once-off funding for £50,000 in 2021. In addition, the Department of Health provides funding of £336,000 per annum to youth-related projects in Tala under the auspices of the Tala Drug and Alcohol Task Force. A further funding of £190,000 was provided in 2019 to the Tala and Ballyfermat Task Force for an initiative to support women affected by drugs and alcohol use in access to appropriate treatment services. The Department of Health recently hosted a webinar to discuss the research findings of this topic. Minister Feehan recently met with the representative of the South Dublin Development Partnership, which works closely with the Tala Task Force. He informed Minister Feehan that the Department of Rural and Community Development has provided funding to the employment of street youth workers in Tala to work with young people. I am conscious that I have not answered the question, but I do know that I have more in my conclusions. Minister Feehan now, Axel Kaurla, actions speak louder than words, and unfortunately the actions of the Government show that they are not taking this issue seriously. In the budget from what, one month ago, the entire spend on crack cocaine usage across the entire country is €500,000, just nowhere near adequate. Let me just spell out what an extra million euros in funding for the Talidrugs and Alcohol Task Force would mean. It would mean £400,000 for frontline community-based services. That translates as one additional staff member per community addiction project. It would mean money for youth work, it would mean extra money for crack cocaine projects, it would mean money for study in terms of crack cocaine research and it would mean money for additional residential places. It would be money that would go and make a real difference in the community and that is why we are all going to continue to push for a commitment that is given. I have listened carefully to the views of the deputies. I am still going to read Minister Donnelly's script and hopefully I will get 30 seconds myself. I have listened carefully to the views of the deputies and I want to reiterate the commitment of this government to ensure that appropriate supports and resources are in place to tackle drug addiction, including crack cocaine. A strategic priority under the National Drug Strategy for the next four years will be to address the social consequences of the drug use in disadvantaged communities. Minister Feehan looks forward to working with all relevant stakeholders, including the Drug and Alcohol Task Force, to address the underlying cause of drug use in poorer communities. Minister Feehan will shortly be announcing funding of £1 million to increase access to the provision of community-based drugs and alcohol services. I hear very clearly that it is £1 million that this community is looking for in its entirety. There is funding shortfall straight away that needs to be addressed. This funding will support the work of drug and alcohol forces and a portion of the funding will be allocated to CH07, which will include Tala and South-West Dublin. In Budget 2022, Minister Feehan secured an additional £6 million for new measures to support the implementation of the National Drug Strategy and strengthen the health-led approach to drugs and alcohol use and set out in the programme for government. This includes half a million to address high-risk drug use such as crack cocaine and other drugs to expand harm reduction. I just want to say in the 30 seconds that I am left. I have taken on board absolutely everything you have said here this evening from the piece in relation to the fabric of the community that has been hollowed out at this moment in time to do with the intergenerational. It is not just the Department of Health that has to step up to the plate here. Let us be very clear. There is a role for the Department of Justice. There is a role for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. There is a role for Community and Rural Affairs. There is a role for every department here because unless we get a hold of what is unleashed in your community, when the next wave comes on board, there will be no fabric left for us to be able to repair. So I will take it on board. It was one of the pieces when I did negotiate a programme for government was in relation to the Drugs Task Force. I am very passionate on it. Not only will I articulate it, who I know Minister Feehan is very committed to it, but I will also ensure that Minister Donnelly finds room within his purse. Thank you.