Home > Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 234 - National Drugs Strategy [24543/10].

[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 234 - National Drugs Strategy [24543/10]. (09 Jun 2010)

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234. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey): The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is being implemented across its five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research in line with the Government’s commitment to address problem drug use in a comprehensive way.
 
Solid progress is being made on the implementation of the various Actions of the Strategy. One of the recent highlights was the introduction of regulations by the Minister for Health and Children under the Misuse of Drugs Acts that make the possession and sale of a wide range of psychoactive substances illegal and subject to criminal sanctions. In addition, legislation is being drafted by the Minister for Justice & Law Reform that will make it a criminal offence to sell or supply substances that are not prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but that have psychoactive effects on humans.
 
An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service continue to prioritise the targeting of those involved in the supply of drugs and I congratulate them on their recent successes in this area, both nationally and abroad.
 
Significant progress continues to be made in regard to treatment and rehabilitation services for recovering drug users. New opiate substitution facilities, greater opportunities for detoxification and the roll-out of a comprehensive needle exchange programme across the country are among the improvements that are coming on stream. Progress is also being made towards providing comprehensive rehabilitation services. In that regard, my officials have recently agreed on a way forward in regard to residential rehabilitation services with the HSE and the voluntary sector. It is envisaged that significant improvements can be achieved through interagency co-operation and comprehensive care planning for the individual clients.
 
I will shortly be undertaking a series of meetings with a number of Ministers and various senior officials who are responsible for the implementation of different Actions of the Strategy. In those meetings, I will again stress the need for Departments and agencies to continue to ensure that high priority is given to achieving the objectives of the Strategy.
 
I am determined to tackle the issue of problem substance misuse over the coming years and I am confident that the Drugs Strategy will continue to facilitate this.
 
Vol. 711 No. 4
Written Answers – National Drugs Strategy
9 June 2010

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