The national drugs strategy 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – A health-led response to Drug and Alcohol Use in Ireland 2017 – 2025' is underpinned by the values of equity and partnership and a commitment to an evidence-informed approach.
The Department Of Health and the Health Research Board hosted the inaugural National Drugs Forum (NDF) in November 2018 as a means of engagement and shared learning between all the stakeholders involved in the national drugs strategy, including Government departments, community and voluntary organisations and drug and alcohol task forces.
The preparations for this year’s Forum are underway and the working group tasked with organising the Forum has met several times over the last months. This year’s Forum will take place on November 5th .
I believe that the involvement of all stakeholders in the response to problem drug use is key to realising the strategy’s aims. I look forward to the deliberations of the Forum on improvements in service development and delivery.