The 2021 National Drugs Forum took place on 23 November 2021. Thank you to all who took part.

The public health crisis of the past 18 months has underlined the importance of planning for sudden and unexpected change. This year’s National Drugs Forum is focused on future needs and what we have to do to anticipate changing patterns in drug use and supply, and to ensure our responses are robust and ready to meet the new challenges that will come with these changes.

This event is being held against the backdrop of the EU Council publishing the new European Drugs Strategy and Action Plan and the Department of Health completing the mid-term review of Ireland’s national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. Work is now commencing on the implementation of the six strategic priorities arising from the review.

This year’s forum provides an opportunity to reflect on the themes of preparation and foresight which are central to the European Drugs Strategy and Action Plan.

09:30 Welcome and Introduction Mr Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy

09:50 Keynote: Service user participation in the design and delivery of drug treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services: an evidence review.

 Dr Jonathan Pratschke

10:20 Keynote: Preliminary findings from the European Web Survey on Drugs 2021.

Dr Deirdre Mongan, Health Research Board

10:50 Q&A

11:00 Break

11:30 Foresight Megatrends Workshop Part I

12:30 Break

13:15 Foresight Megatrends Workshop Part II

14:15 Closing remarks