Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In line with the Garda Síochána strategy statement for 2016 to 2018, supported by the Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme for the period 2016 to 2021, An Garda Síochána continues to play an important and proactive role in confronting drug-related crime, utilising intelligence-led operations. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda Síochána's National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, established in 2015, which is leading the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies, and is working in conjunction with divisional drug units across the country.

From a criminal justice perspective, this works fits neatly into the actions on the part of my colleague, the Minister for Health, on the Department of Health strategy, reducing harm, supporting recovery and the new public information campaign to raise awareness of the serious side effects and the risk to health of using unprescribed anabolic steroids. The campaign was announced in recent weeks. Between the HPRA and the public information campaign by the Minister for Health, on the one hand, and the deterrent factor involved in the criminal justice approach of An Garda Síochána, I assure the Deputy that we will continue to prioritise this important matter.

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