Thomas Gould
Question:1454. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the date for publication of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. [14280/21]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2021
Questions (1454, 1455)
Thomas Gould
Question:1455. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. [14281/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1454 and 1455 together.
The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use for the period 2017 to 2025. The strategy provides 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 is a dynamic strategy, monitored through a national oversight structure and contains 50 actions which are to be delivered over the period 2017-2020.
The Department has commenced a mid-term review of the 50 actions in the strategy, in consultation with stakeholders. The review will provide an opportunity to reflect on progress in implementing the strategy from 2017 to 2020, progress achieved to-date under the action plan, any new issues that have arisen including the impact of Covid-19 and to consider the development of new actions to address emerging needs and challenges. It will also reflect commitments in the Programme for Government as part of a health-led approach to drug use and misuse and the EU drugs strategy 2021-2025.
An update on the progress on the review was provided at the National Oversight Committee (NOC) in March. The final report of the review will be considered at the next NOC meeting in May.
I am committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure that the actions in the national drugs strategy are relevant and appropriate to address the societal challenges arising from the use of drugs, especially for children and young people and for those at greatest risk of harm.