Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The work of the citizens' assembly is timely. It will report at the end of the year. It is important that we have an open and honest conversation about drug use.

I have allocated €1.5 million for an education programme. It is the first time funding has ever been allocated to that and I want to expand on it. We have allocated €130 million to the HSE for addiction services. Again, I want to increase that. Education and an open, honest conversation are needed. It is not only those who are in addiction and going into the vicious circle of the criminal justice system who use cocaine. Some people take drugs on a Friday or Saturday night because they enjoy them. We need to raise awareness around the health and safety impacts of that.

I recently attended the Electric Picnic with Professor Eamon Keenan and his team to raise awareness at the festival and help young people. It is key to know what are the emerging drugs coming into the country as they change all the time. It is important to raise awareness and inform people who may have a medical incident or who are worried about a friend so that they have somewhere to go. I absolutely agree with the Deputy's point about raising awareness of this issue.

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