John Connolly
Ceist:210. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the efforts within her Department to develop a new national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34777/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 25 June 2025
Ceisteanna (210)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government, 'Securing Ireland’s Future' sets out the Government commitment to a health-led approach to drugs use. The Government will assess the outcomes of the existing national drugs strategy and publish a successor strategy.
The successor strategy will be informed by the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, an evaluation of the existing strategy, consultations with stakeholders, and developments in the EU drugs strategy and action plan.
The Department of Health has commissioned an independent evaluation of the existing national drug strategy. The report of the evaluation will shortly be published.
The Department has convened a number of consultations with stakeholders. Over 300 people attended the consultations that were facilitated and reported upon by independent consultants. The findings from the consultations will inform the development of the new national strategy.
I have established a Steering Group to develop a draft successor national drugs strategy by the end of the year.
It is my ambition that the new national drugs strategy will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use by addressing the health and social needs of people use drugs, reducing the harms associated with drugs, and supporting recovery from drug addiction.