Thomas Gould
Question:1456. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the analysis of supports available to service users by the drug related intimidation training co-ordinator. [14282/21]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2021
Questions (1456, 1457)
Thomas Gould
Question:1457. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the analysis of the prevalence of drug related intimidation as conducted under the DRIVE programme. [14283/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1456 and 1457 together.
Criminal activity and an active illicit drug market can create an intimidating and frightening environment for families and communities. The National Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, developed by the National Family Support Network and An Garda Siochana, provides a framework to allow reporting of an incident of intimidation to a nominated inspector. An action of the National Drugs Strategy is to strengthen the effectiveness of the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme.
To support the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing drug-related violence and intimidation, the Department of Health is funding two initiatives to raise public awareness of the problem and to support victims, their families and their communities.
One initiative led by the National Family Support Network is to employ a Drug Related Intimidation Training Coordinator. The Training Coordinator was appointed in October 2020 and has since commenced an initial mapping exercise to identify training needs relating to the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme. This analysis will be broadened to include non-addiction specific services after this initial mapping is completed. This will then be applied to further inform and enhance the previously developed training for professionals who are working with individuals who are experiencing drug-related intimidation.
The other initiative led by the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the HSE is the Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Project (DRIVE). The DRIVE project is developing an evidence informed Intervention model to support communities to respond to drug-related intimidation and violence.
The model will include mechanisms for capturing prevalence; informed by work completed by the HRB and other evidenced sources. It is currently at the early development stage which will be followed by a staged implementation plan to accompany the articulated model. This will include: actions, roles/responsibilities, named lead agencies; and outcome measurement processes.
I welcome the involvement and cooperation of statutory, voluntary and community organisations in addressing drug-related violence and intimidation and I look forward to receiving reports on the two initiatives in due course.
Question No. 1458 answered with Question No. 1389.