The Government’s strategic response to addressing drug and alcohol problems in Ireland is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025.
The Drugs Policy and Social Inclusion Unit is responsible for drugs policy in the Department of Health.
The unit has the following roles:
- to coordinate the implementation of the national drugs strategy
- to oversee the funding allocated through the Department of Health for drug and alcohol services
- to develop policy responses to changing patterns of drug use and emerging issues
- to support the national oversight structures for the national drugs strategy
- to represent Ireland at EU and international forums on drugs policy
- to analyse the implications of research and evaluation for drugs policy and planning
- to advise the Minister on drugs policy.