Dr. Laura O'Reilly:

I agree with a lot of what Dr. O'Shea has said. It is that investment in protective factors. When we are using the language all the time and we focus on addiction, it is really important to think about what is fuelling and driving the addiction. It is all these issues we are talking about and that is where the prevention needs to start. There is another conversation about drug prevention. We often think about a drug prevention programme being delivered in a school or out-of-school setting. It is important that drug prevention piece is considered within a broader health promotion aspect and a broader health and well-being one, so it is not just information about drugs and alcohol and the potential risks. It needs to be a broader health-promoting approach to understanding drugs and alcohol and choices about them. We also know that where children have access to those other protective factors like sport and extracurricular activities, which are often costly, they benefit. If we invest in communities to have those available to young people then that is a good start.