Vol. 537 No. 4
23 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress which has been made with the review of the national drugs strategy; if he will list the issues that have been raised in the course of the review; the matters in which serious deficiencies have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15367/01]
38 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the areas of the national drugs strategy for which his Department will have responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14792/01]
44 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when the regional drugs task forces, proposed in the national drugs strategy, will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16207/01]
46 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the publication of the national drugs strategy; if a timetable has been set for the implementation of the strategy; and the additional finance or resources which will be allocated for the implementation of the strategy. [16206/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 38, 44 and 46 together.
The new National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 was launched by the Taoiseach and myself on 10 May. Prepared and published by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, it is the most comprehensive analysis and assessment of the drugs problem in Ireland ever undertaken and it provides the basis from which all those involved in addressing the drug problem can work for the next seven years.
Copies have been lodged in the Oireachtas Library and further copies are available from the Government Publication Office at Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
The objective of the review was to identify any gaps or deficiencies in the strategy, develop revised strategies and, if necessary, new arrangements through which to deliver them. As part of the review, the latest available data on the extent and nature of drug misuse in the country as a whole were identified. To be as comprehensive as possible the review also looked at international trends, developments and best practice models.
An extensive consultation process was also undertaken. Approximately 190 submissions were received from a range of individuals and organisations and a series of eight regional consultative fora were held in June 2000. This gave individuals and groups an opportunity to outline their views on how the existing strategy might be improved or adapted. Approximately 600 people attended these fora. In addition, I met, separately, 34 interested groups, Departments and agencies. I also visited Sweden, Australia and Switzerland to examine how the drugs strategies of those countries operated.
A variety of issues were raised during the consultation process centering mainly around the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research.
The new National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 is the first time that all elements of drugs policy in Ireland have been brought together into a single framework with responsibilities clearly assigned. Around the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research, a series of objectives and key performance indicators have been set with specific targets that Departments and agencies are required to meet. A series of 100 individual actions have also been developed which the relevant bodies have to carry out in order to deliver the strategy and meet its objectives.
