Labour TD, John Lyons, has welcomed confirmation that funding for Local Drugs Task Forces around the country has been protected in Budget 2015.

The funding, part of the Department of Health’s Drugs Initiative, will be maintained for next year after several years of reductions.

“Local Drugs Task Forces do fantastic work in communities around the country to reduce the harm caused by drug use. As a member of the Ballymun-Whitehall Drugs Task Forces, I know the value of the support they provide, as well as the Finglas-Cabra DTF, to help people turn their lives around and to support families through difficult times.

“A recent study by Tallaght Drugs Task Force showed that budget reductions occurred at a time when there has been a huge increase in demand for DTF services. This demand is due to a large increase in substance misuse across all ages and an ‘increasing prevalence of polydrug and alcohol use’ during a time of great economic hardship for many people.

“Prior to the Budget, I wrote to the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, and helped to organise a cross-party briefing on the difficult situation Drugs Task Forces are facing. It was quite clear that Task Forces could not have made further cuts to their budgets without seriously impacting on essential services.

“While I would still maintain that a Minister of State with Responsibility for Drugs Policy is needed in a large Department like Health, I welcome the clarity this funding will give to Drugs Task Forces in our communities for next year. It will allow them to make plans for the immediate future and to keep essential programmes running.

“I am also pleased that Minister Varadkar has arranged to meet representatives from our cross-party group on Monday, along with representatives from the Drugs Task Forces, to talk about the longer term future of drugs services.

“There is clear evidence that maintaining funding for drug and alcohol interventions and services can give much larger cost savings in terms of future health, social and criminal justice spending.

“I will continue to make the case for these important services to Government departments and ministers.”