As we move towards the general election, attention will increasingly be focused on party manifestos.

In 2015, Ireland has made great strides in drug policy under the stewardship of Aodhán O’Ríordáin; the gains we have made in the area are indicative of the importance of having a Minister of State with specific responsibility for the National Drug Strategy.

However, with the current National Drug Strategy only running to the end of 2016 and the process to determine the next strategy already underway, it is important that the positive focus remains and that parties include a comprehensive response to drugs and drug use in their manifestos.

This is critical for a number of reasons.