Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The objective is to reduce the number of drug deaths. At least for the years for which we have the most recent figures, the number of drug deaths has decreased slightly. There will be two developments this year that I hope will improve circumstances. First is the naloxone project, which is to make naloxone available to users, their families, friends and those who work with them to reverse overdoses. This will be the single most effective measure we can take to save lives. The second development, which is very important, is to increase the budget for drug treatment by over €2 million this year. This will include traditional needle exchanges and additional detoxification beds to facilitate people who want to come off opioids altogether and go clean. That is why the additional beds have been provided. Some additional ones have been provided in my constituency in Ashleigh House, Coolmine, which particularly target drug users who are pregnant or who have young children. I visited the centre and have seen its work. I am very happy I have been able to provide additional resources for Merchants Quay Ireland, Ashleigh House and other facilities this year. I hope to be able to continue to do so in the coming years.

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