I propose to take Questions Nos. 1365, 1381, 1501 and 1874 together.
The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use for the period 2017-2025. The strategy is dynamic with the flexibility to adapt to needs that may emerge over the lifetime of the strategy. It is underpinned by a partnership approach between the statutory sector, community organisations, voluntary service providers, service users and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery established a National Oversight Committee to give leadership and direction to support implementation of the strategy. The Committee consists of a cross-sector membership from the statutory, community and voluntary sector, as well as clinical and academic expertise. The strategy outlines indicative membership and provides that the final membership is decided upon by the Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs strategy.
The Department of Health completed a mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery and this report was published on 17 November, 2021. Arising from the mid-term review, six strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 were identified. These priorities strengthen the health-led approach, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU drugs strategy and action plan 2021-2025.
I have revised the oversight structures to drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025, following consultation with the national oversight committee in September 2021. Strategic Implementation Groups (SIGs) will be established to support the implementation of the strategic priorities, under the auspices of the national oversight committee. I have recently appointed independent chairs for these SIGs, based on their individual expertise in specific policy issues and their leadership skills. These individuals come from a diversity of backgrounds, including local development, health services, public administration, the legal system and academia.
The chairs of the SIGs are members of a streamlined National Oversight Committee, along with representatives of government departments, drug and alcohol task forces and community and voluntary organisations. I have appointed two Ministerial nominees, an academic expert and a clinical expert to the committee. These individuals were selected on the basis of their national and international expertise on drug policy. Neither was appointed in a representative capacity of any medical or other organisation.
The inter-agency approach involving a partnership between statutory, community and voluntary bodies remains central to the strategy, as does strengthening the resilience of communities to respond to the drug problem.
Partnership is central to the national drugs strategy and the new oversight structures are intended to strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. The Department wants to broaden and deepen the involvement of community and voluntary groups in the implementation of the strategy. The proposal for the establishment of a civil society group on drugs is one component of this, which is under discussion with the sector.
I wish to acknowledge the ongoing contribution made by the organisation referred to by the Deputy to the national drugs strategy and I welcome their continuing involvement in the implementation of the strategy through the new strategic implementation groups, under the auspices of the national oversight committee. I have also invited the organisation to meet with me to discuss their concerns.
