Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
591. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to hosting a drugs summit to hear the opinions of all interest groups with a view towards developing policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26613/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will commence in 2017, when the current policy expires. On 6 September, I announced the details of a public consultation in order to assist the Steering Committee determine the key priorities to be addressed in the new Strategy. The public consultation will take place over a six week period and end on 18 October. A report on the consultation process will be prepared by independent consultants engaged by the Department and submitted to the Steering Committee to inform their deliberations.
In order to provide a nationwide perspective on the drug problem, regional consultation events have been held in Carrick on Shannon, Limerick, Dublin and Cork. Due to the level of interest in the public consultation, additional events will take place in Galway on 30 September and Kilkenny on 3 October. People can also provide their feedback by making a written submission, completing an online questionnaire or using a lo-call phone line. Further information about the consultation process can be found on the Department of Health website at www.health.gov.ie/drugs-strategy/.
In addition, prior to starting work on the new Strategy, the Department of Health held a "Think Tank" on Ireland's drug problem in July 2015, to give those working in frontline services a chance to voice their thoughts on what needs to be done for the future.
