Citizens' Assembly

Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Questions (798)

Liam Quaide

Question:

798. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health her plans to action the recommendations of the citizens’ assembly on drug use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15650/25]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Colm Burke)

The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use published its report in January 2024. It recommended a comprehensive health-led response to drugs, with 36 specific recommendations on prevention, harms reduction, treatment and recovery. The Joint Committee on Drugs Use supported the recommendations in its interim report last October, as well as making additional recommendations of its own.

As Minister of State with responsibility for the national drug strategy, it is my responsibility to prepare the government response to the Citizens Assembly recommendations, in conjunction with the Taoiseach. The government response will be a key building block for the new national drugs strategy.

It is my ambition that the new national drugs strategy will create a society where the demand for drugs is minimised, the harms associated with drugs are reduced, and recovery from drug addiction is supported.