Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2021
242. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the strategy the HSE and other relevant Departments have been working under in relation to addiction given that the action provided in the National Drugs Strategy concluded in 2020. [56361/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use in Ireland until 2025. The strategic action plan for the period 2017 to 2020 contains 50 actions. The implementation of these actions is monitored through the national oversight structures, supported by the coordinated system of monitoring, research and evaluation set out in the strategy.
The mid-term review of the strategy shows significant progress in implementing the action plan for the period 2017 to 2020, with only a small number of the 50 actions outstanding. We have improved access and availability of drug services, especially services for women, people who are homeless and those with heroin addiction. There is a new clinical programme for dual diagnosis and the government is championing an alternative health-led approach for the possession of drugs for personal use.
I have announce six strategic priorities for the remaining years of the strategy until 2025. These will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use, as agreed in the Programme for Government, and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. I will now work with all stakeholders to agree additional actions under these priorities.
The mid-term review is available here www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1dda3-minister-feighan-publishes-mid-term-review-of-national-drugs-strategy-and-strategic-priorities-for-2021-2025/
To support the implementation of the strategic priorities, I provided additional funding of €6m for new health measures in Budget 2020. Details of the funding is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/
