Minster for Health announces new regulations to address the unauthorised possession of amphetamines and barbiturates.
Minister for Health Erskine Childers announces details new regulation under the Health Act. Speaking to RTÉ News the minister said that the drug problem in Ireland was largely confined to Dublin. Gardaí know about 350 people who at one time or another have taken drugs. The minister suspects the figure for people with a drug addiction is higher. Greater controls are being introduced for amphetamines and barbiturates. It will be illegal to hold these drugs unless you are a medical profession or a dosage has been prescribed to you by a doctor.
When asked if the demand will be driven underground Erskine Childers says that part of his job as Minister for Health is to make drugs difficult to get but no Minister for Health in any country has succeeded in eliminating drug abuse.
Erskine Childers is awaiting a report from the working party on drug abuse and at that stage will make further decisions combatting drugs.
Ireland, Sweden and Japan are the only countries in the world that have banned dangerous amphetamines from sale in chemist shops. The drugs can only be procured through the health authority on prescription.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 May 1970. The reporter is Donal Kelly.
