Government is committed to putting a new National Drugs Strategy in place from 2017 onwards, when the current policy expires. As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy.
While the format of the new Strategy has not yet been agreed by the Steering Committee, I very much agree on the importance of maintaining a focus on prevention and recovery in the new Strategy. The provision of resources to support the implementation of the new Strategy will be determined in the context of the estimates process.
I understand that the Steering Committee is continuing with its deliberations and is expected to submit its final report to me by the end of March. I hope to bring my proposals to Government on the new Strategy thereafter.