Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

115 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the consideration being given to adapting the national drugs strategy to take account of the success of the Lambeth experiment in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24023/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

As the Deputy will be aware, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 which governs the use of drugs in Ireland and the penalties attaching to illegal drug use is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, and any changes in the law would be for him to consider.

My Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the national drugs strategy 2001-2008. The strategy contains 100 individual actions under the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research which will be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies. The strategy also provides for an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the overall framework by end 2004. This will examine the progress being made in achieving the overall key strategic goals set out in the strategy and will enable priorities for further action to be identified and a refocusing of the strategy, if necessary. In this context, the outcome of different approaches, such as Lambeth, can be examined and considered.