Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

My Department has commenced work on the development of the new national drugs strategy for the period 2009 to 2016. I have established a steering group, comprising representatives of the key statutory, community and voluntary interests involved in tackling problem drug use, to make recommendations on a new strategy to me as the responsible Minister. The first meeting of the steering group was held on 10 January.

Over the coming months the steering group will be examining the progress and impact of the current national drugs strategy, the degree to which it continues to be relevant and the operational effectiveness of the structures involved. It will also examine developments regarding drug policies at EU and international levels. Following on from this work, the group will consider how a new strategy should address problem drug use and finalise recommendations to me in that regard.

A comprehensive public consultation process will be undertaken over the coming months as part of the work of developing the new strategy. I intend to be involved directly in many of the consultation meetings that are being planned at present. I also invite the spokespersons from the other parties to participate in that process, whenever they wish.

I intend to bring proposals for a new national drugs strategy to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion, children and integration by the end of the year.

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