Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a broad welcome for funding to Citywide and it being brought into the Department of Rural and Community Development and away from the HSE and the national drugs strategy. I have been involved in community development-based drug projects for over 25 years in Dublin 15. I am very proud of the work we have done in supporting individuals, families and communities in tackling the scourge of problematic drug misuse. The unique strength of our community drug projects is that they deliver an integrated approach to service delivery based on the understanding that people’s drug-related problems cannot be addressed in isolation from the wider issues that are impacting on their lives. The Minister of State has acknowledged that. It is very important that there is strong cross-governmental response. I urge the Minister of State to continue to engage with other agencies, particularly the HSE and the national drug strategy team on supports for the community and ensuring that their voices are heard.

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