Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
131. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her role in tackling the endemic and intergenerational disadvantage that allows the drugs trade to flourish, and in the review of the national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10317/16]
View answerThe problem of drug misuse remains one of the most complex social problems that we face, bringing with it an array of social and economic issues.
While the underlying causes of drug misuse can be many and are not confined to any social class undoubtedly there are strong links with poverty and issues of social inclusion.
As highlighted by the Deputy, a feature of drug markets which are so destructive and damaging for our local communities, is that they can more readily develop in areas where there is a clustering of poverty and a concentration of social problems.
It is for this reason that the Government in its formulation and implementation of our overall drug policy, as set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, brings together all relevant Government Departments and Agencies as well as the Community and Voluntary sector to work together and in close partnership.
The Strategy adopts a comprehensive and pillar based approach to the problem, across the five pillars of drug supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. My Department and its agencies continue to progress the actions assigned to the criminal justice sector under the Strategy and to actively participate in all of the structures in place including for example, the Oversight Forum, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol and the National Co-ordinating Committee on Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces.
Drug policy development under the current Strategy was further aligned with wider social policy development at Government level through the reporting on to the appropriate Cabinet sub-committee which dealt with all aspects of social inclusion.
In terms of the development of the new National Drugs Strategy the Department of Health is leading on the formulation of our overall approach for the period after 2016 to meet the challenges into the future. The intention over the coming months is to lay the groundwork for a concise and focused Strategy, placing a clear emphasis on the practical implementation of actions. An examination of the approach to drugs policy and practice in other jurisdictions will help to identify any additional evidence based approaches which might be considered in an Irish context. The development of the new Strategy will provide an opportunity to have a constructive and wide-ranging public dialogue on our current drug policies and our approaches to the issue.
The Department of Health has established a Steering Group, which includes officials from my own Department, to oversee a review of the current Strategy and develop proposals for a new Strategy. This will involve a comprehensive consultation process which is expected to be announced shortly.
