2. Health and Social Services

The parties share the view that young adults have a range of particular health-related needs. The parties agree to address these needs through the following priority actions:

• Combating substance misuse through a concerted focus on supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research. Specifically, rehabilitation is being added as a fifth pillar of the National Drugs Strategy, in line with a commitment given in the mid-term review of that Strategy, and a Working Group is developing an integrated rehabilitation provision. Also in line with the mid-term review, the Department of Health & Children is exploring the potential for better co-ordination between the areas of drugs and alcohol with the aim of improving synergies. Additional funding is being provided in 2006 to develop facilities and services for young people;
• Ensuring a greater focus on reducing alcohol related harm including implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group on Alcohol, established under Sustaining Progress, taking account of the recommendations of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, and;
• Ensuring implementation of the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014