The Minister of State for Primary Care, Alex White TD, today addressed the 56th Session of the UN Economic and Social Council (UNESCO) Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna. Minister White, who has responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, spoke on behalf of the EU Presidency. The conference brings together representatives from all over the world to debate drugs policy and its implementation.

Minister White was followed at the podium by the Bolivian President Evo Morales.

The Minister commented; "This is a vitally important conference providing an opportunity to debate policies and strategies to combat the drugs problem world wide. I had an opportunity to hear the views and experiences of countries from every region of the world.

"As we address the enormous challenges associated with drugs misuse in Ireland, we must also continue our work in the international context, particularly through the Irish Presidency of the European Council. In that context we are playing the lead co-ordinating role in the preparation of an EU Drugs Action Plan for 2013-2016", the Minister concluded.