Fianna Fáil Senator Diarmuid Wilson has called for a major debate on illegal drugs. He said a discussion was needed on the national drugs strategy, on the supports available to those who found themselves addicted to drugs, as well as the resources available to the Garda.

"The regional drugs units have been disbanded in a number of areas, including my native county of Cavan and the neighbouring county of Monaghan. In other counties they have been depleted and amalgamated into the normal crime units and this is not acceptable.''

He said there was a major drugs' crisis and, while he welcomed the initiatives of Minister Dr James Reilly on the tobacco industry and alcohol abuse, the crisis caused by illegal drugs had been ignored.

Mr Wilson was speaking during a debate on emergency legislation introduced by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar following the striking down by the Court of Appeal on the ban on the possession of some drugs.

The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, which bans the drugs, passed all stages in the Seanad and was signed on Wednesday by President Higgins. It passed through the Dáil on Tuesday night.

Mr Varadkar told Senators the availability of detailed information on the chemistry of substances on the internet and the availability of sophisticated technology had contributed to the rapid evolution of the illicit drugs market.

“It is important that we work together to counter the threat they pose to users, particularly young people.’’

Independent Senator Feargal Quinn said the introduction of head shops legislation had reminded people of how quickly the scale of drug abuse moved.