Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 25 September 2025

Committee on Drugs Use

Family Supports: Discussion

2:00 am

Mr. Andy O'Hara:

It is a good point and goes back to the earlier point on what is the best way to respond. When we look at drug-related deaths, it is important to recognise the statistics of who they are. It is primarily people from particular backgrounds who are over represented. It is about implementing a social determinants approach around housing, educational attainment and job opportunities, both as a preventative measure and as an intervention later on. Those same interventions will divert people away from harmful activities when they come out of prison.