Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1045. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy will provide for a clear and urgent response to drug related intimidation, debt and violence; and if the revised strategy will include a strong commitment to putting in place the long-term and sustainable economic initiatives that are required to address the issue. [10580/21]
View answerThe national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use until 2025. The strategy outlines an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.
The strategy contains 50 actions for delivery between 2017 and 2020. The implementation of the actions is monitored though the national oversight structures, supported by the coordinated system of monitoring, research and evaluation set out in the strategy.
The strategy is a dynamic process and provides the flexibility to introduce new measures after four years to address issues that emerge during that period. The Department is currently undertaking a mid-term review of the 50 actions contained in the strategy.
The strategy contains a number of actions to address the impact of drug-related crime and intimidation on communities, involving An Garda Síochána and community and voluntary groups. Action 42 is to strengthen the effectiveness of the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme. The Programme, developed by the National Family Support Network and An Garda Síochána, provides a framework to allow reporting of an incident of intimidation to a nominated inspector. Additional resources have been provided to raise public awareness of the programme. The Department of Health has supported the National Family Support Network to fund a Drug Related Intimidation (DRI) Training Coordinator. As well as providing training, the coordinator will undertake an analysis of supports available to service users who have been impacted by DRI nationally.
The Department of Health is also supporting the Drug-Related Intimidation & Violence Project (DRIVE) with the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the HSE to establish the nature and extent of intimidation and build the capacity of service providers in communities to understand and explore options available to services users.
I am very aware that criminal activity and an active illicit drug market can create an intimidating and frightening environment for families and communities. I expect the mid-term review of the strategy will consider whether further measures are required to address this problem.
