Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2019
422. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the programmes and projects undertaken to achieve strategic action 1.2.8 of the national drugs strategy, to improve services for young people at risk of substance misuse in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9644/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraStrategic action 1.2.8 of the National Drugs Strategy calls for the development of a new scheme to provide targeted, appropriate and effective services for young people at risk of substance misuse, focused on socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
This action falls under Objective 1.2 which aims to prevent the use of drugs and alcohol at a young age. It is intended that this scheme will fund out-of-school interventions (e.g. youth services).
This action was discussed at the Standing Sub-Committee meeting in March 2018, with the committee hearing from the following organisations: CORE Youth Service, Solas Project, Neighbourhood Youth Project 2 and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
The funding arrangements and details of this new scheme under action 1.2.8 are being developed at present.
I am committed to providing additional resources to enhance service provision under the national drugs strategy. These resources should be directed towards those interventions which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and positive improvement in public health, safety and wellbeing.
I will shortly be engaging with task forces and other stakeholders to outline my plans for a new scheme to provide targeted, appropriate and effective services for young people at risk of substance misuse.
