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National Drugs Strategy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Questions (902)

Thomas Gould

Question:

902. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy. [21342/21]

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Written answers

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 and contains 50 actions which are to be delivered over the period 2017-2020.

The Department has commenced a mid-term review of the actions in the strategy, in consultation with stakeholders. The review provides 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.

The National Oversight Committee gives leadership and direction to support the strategy. The committee has membership from statutory, voluntary and community sector and is chaired by me as Minister for State. The committee has received regular updates on the mid-term review and a draft report will be presented to a special meeting of the committee in May for its consideration.

The review when finalised will be brought to Government for approval. Publication of the review and supporting documents will follow soon thereafter.

I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the national drugs strategy is 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.

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