23 June 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork North Central TD, Billy Kelleher, is Fianna Fail spokesman on Health
Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher TD has welcomed reports that legislation to ban so-called Z drugs is to be expedited.
The move follows Fianna Fáil’s demand that the Government’s legislation be brought forward immediately or Fianna Fáil would be introducing legislation of its own.
Deputy Kelleher commented, “I welcome this announcement from the Minister. It was our strong view that further delay on this legislation was only adding to a growing crisis in our country, and especially in our inner city areas.
“Talking to communities under pressure, we were getting a very strong signal that they were under siege from these so-called Z drugs. Used by heroin addicts, the medication is itself highly addictive, deeply damaging and in some cases fatal.
“The continued availability of the drugs was simply not feasible and represented a slap in the face for the communities where it was doing the most damage.
“I made it clear to Minister Harris that if he did not move to expedite this legislation; Fianna Fáil would be bringing forward legislation of its own in our next Private Members time to put these drugs on the Controlled Substances List.
“It is positive that he acted and that this will now be done without further delay. This is just one small step in dealing with drugs crisis in our cities.”
