John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

Support for families affected by drug misuse is a key priority of the current national drugs strategy and I expect it will continue to be prioritised under the new strategy which is currently being developed. As the Deputy knows only too well, problem drug use can have a devastating effect on the family and it is particularly important to have appropriate, accessible and timely services in place to help these families deal with the problems they face. In this context, my Department provides annual funding to support the development of the family support network, FSN, for families affected by problem drug use. This has facilitated the development of the network as a national organisation, thereby ensuring a more co-ordinated approach to the issue of family support within the drugs strategy. It has also allowed the existing FSN to be established on a much firmer and more organised footing, which has facilitated the co-ordinated development of local family support groups around the country, with ongoing opportunities for networking among them. In addition, links and partnerships between the families of problem drug users and others involved in the implementation of the drugs strategy have improved.

A number of family support projects are also being supported through the local and regional drugs task forces, including through the emerging needs fund. The services provided include support for parents, spouses and partners and assistance for children of problem drug users. Families receive support from both specific projects aimed at families and more generic services such as community drugs teams.

The role of the family was emphasised by the working group on drugs rehabilitation, which made specific recommendations regarding the role of families in the rehabilitation process. The Deputy should also note that the National Advisory Committee on Drugs published a study, The Experiences of Families Seeking Support in Coping with Heroin Use, which stresses the need to value the role of the family in treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. In the context of the findings of the NACD Report, the Family Support Agency and the Family Resource Centres have started to put in place links with the FSN in order to provide assistance and guidance where needed, along with the provision of funding to the FSN to allow further development of their organisation.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

During the consultation process undertaken in respect of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, particularly in the series of public meetings around the country, the work taking place under the umbrella of family support was highly praised, although it was felt that enhanced resources and support are required in this area. The issue of support for family members, including elderly grandparents, who are caring for the children of other family members who are incapable of discharging their responsibilities due to problem drug use, was also raised. I fully expect that this, along with other family support issues which were raised, will be addressed during the deliberations of the steering group which is currently developing the new strategy. Their work will be ongoing over the coming months.

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