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[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 142 - National Drug Strategy [44333/10]. (24 Nov 2010)

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142. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the national drug strategy; the funds drawn down to date; his plans to address the recommendations and the further review of the strategy in relation to alcohol use; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey): Significant progress is being made on the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 across the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Significant progress has been made in this area, with 15,000 people now in treatment, over 9,400 of whom are in receipt of opiate substitution treatment. New opiate substitution services have opened this year in Cork, Tralee and Wexford, and these will be followed shortly by facilities in Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick, Dundalk and Drogheda. This is being done by the HSE with financial support from my Department. Further opiate substitution services in the Midlands are being initiated and expansions of needle exchange services, rehabilitation services and detoxification facilities are being implemented. The progress made in addressing the issue of headshops and the psychoactive substances they sell is illustrative of what can be achieved with cross-departmental co-operation under the National Drugs Strategy. Following legislative changes implemented by the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, the number of headshops in operation has reduced from 102 to 11 at the latest count.

 

An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service continue to prioritise the targeting of those involved in the supply of drugs, and their work will encompass measures to tackle the threat of psychoactive substances being sold through the internet. Meanwhile, preventative initiatives continue in school, youthwork and family settings and through various awareness initiatives. Work is progressing on the development of proposals for a National Substance Misuse Strategy incorporating alcohol and drugs. A Steering Group, jointly chaired by officials of my Department and the Department of Health & Children, is currently finalising their proposals and I expect that they will provide their report to the Minister for Health & Children and myself in December.

Written Answers - National Drug Strategy
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Vol. 723 No. 3

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