Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I express our gratitude to Members, particularly those in the Labour Party, for their valuable contribution to today's discussion on drug policy. I acknowledge the depth of their interest and commitment to this critical issue. As was stated by the Minister of State, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, the Government will not oppose the motion.

This Government remains committed to a health-led approach to drug use, firmly believing that individuals experiencing problematic drug use should be met with compassion, dignity and appropriate care. The health-led approach to drug use is set out in the national drugs strategy. The Government's priority is to develop a successor strategy to cover the period 2026 to 2029. The development of the successor strategy is informed by an evaluation of the current strategy and consultation with stakeholders. In addition, we will take into account the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, which many have referenced today, the interim report of the Joint Committee on Drugs Use, the programme for Government and the EU drugs strategy.

The Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, published the independent evaluation of the drugs strategy, which was a commitment in the programme for Government. During this evaluation, 68 stakeholders participated in consultation sessions and additional written submissions were received. This inclusive process aimed to capture a broad spectrum of perspectives, including those of service providers, statutory bodies, civil society organisations and individuals with lived experience. The independent evaluation assessed the strategy on four areas; impact, governance, performance and coherence with international policies. I note the opportunities and challenges outlined in the report's findings.

The national drugs strategy has made progress in advancing a health-led approach, particularly through the expansion of harm reduction initiatives, such as naloxone distribution and drug checking services. The evaluation identified a number of positive findings including: the introduction of strategic implementation groups; strengthened interagency collaboration at local level; and improved data collection and monitoring, which enables sight of the changing profile of drug users and how prevalent cocaine use has become in Irish society. The strategy is well aligned with international frameworks, particularly the EU drugs strategy.

The independent evaluation also notes some challenges, including delivery of prevention and early intervention initiatives and the need for alternatives to coercive sanctions. The report presents ten strategic recommendations for the development of an integrated, equitable and outcome-focused strategy. These include the right to help for people who use drugs; providing culturally sensitive and appropriate services for all groups; equitable access to services; and strengthened prevention in early intervention initiatives. These will now be incorporated into the new strategy. To further inform the development of the next strategy, the Department held a number of in-person consultations with key stakeholders. Over 240 people attended the consultation. They included representatives of drugs and alcohol task forces from across the country, drugs service providers and civil society organisations. The consultation report has been published and circulated to the Joint Committee on Drugs Use.

The Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use recognised the value of listening to the citizens of Ireland in relation to our approach to the issue of drugs. The Government has committed to responding to the recommendations of the assembly. The Department of Health has engaged with all relevant Departments to develop a considered response to each of the recommendations, which will in turn be incorporated into the successor national drugs strategy. At the high-level segment of the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Government submitted a Pledge4Action by stating: "The Irish Government commits to carefully consider and respond with urgency to the assembly’s recommendations for reform of the legislative, policy and operational approach to drug use, and to indicate the timeframe for implementing those recommendations which it accepts."

We cannot underestimate the importance of prevention and education in tackling drug use. A wealth of international evidence shows us that by investing in evidence-based drug prevention interventions, we can reduce the negative impact of drug use for the person and their families and communities. The Department of Health has made significant strides regarding its approach to drug prevention. In 2023, a funding scheme totalling €1.5 million was awarded to five projects to implement a range of evidence-based drug prevention interventions across the country. In line with the citizens' assembly, the Department of Health is currently working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to implement its review of prevention systems project to assess our national approach to drug prevention. We have rolled out training developed by the European Union Drugs Agency and effective approaches to drug prevention to over 50 people.

Drug-related intimidation is a serious and insidious issue impacting individuals, families and communities nationwide. It is a complex problem that manifests differently across regions, often leaving victims fearful and powerless. Intimidation can involve demands for repayment of perceived drug debts or opportunistic extortion. Its relentless natures poses a significant risk to health and well-being. In May, the Minister of State for the national drugs strategy and the Minister for justice launched a major awareness campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding drug-related intimidation and violence by promoting the range of supports available to those affected. The DRIVE project, which is supported by the Departments of Health and justice, An Garda Síochána and many other stakeholders, aims to build community capacity to support victims and tackle the root causes of intimidation and violence. DRIVE reflects the partnership approach at the heart of the national drugs strategy and aligns with the recommendations from the citizens' assembly.

The Government is fully committed in its support for An Garda Síochána's efforts to dismantle criminal gangs involved in the supply of drugs and its work with international partners to tackle the trafficking of drugs for the Irish market. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has seized over €627 million in illicit drugs and made over 1,700 arrests for drug trafficking, money laundering, possession of firearms and other offences since its establishment ten years ago. Last year, the Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill was enacted. This legislation criminalises adults who either force or encourage children to engage in any criminal activity, recognising the lifelong impact on a child of involvement in criminal activity.

Ireland is playing an active role in the development of the next EU drug strategic framework and action plan. The Irish delegation has contributed strongly to thematic debates on various aspects of drug policy at meetings of the EU Horizontal Working Party on Drugs. These meetings will inform the next EU drug strategy which is currently being drafted by the European Commission and is due to be presented by the Commission to member states before the end of the year.

The Government will carefully consider and respond to recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use. Oversight of the implementation of the programme for Government commitments related to drug policy will be provided by the Cabinet committee on health. A steering group has been established to guide the development of the successor national drug strategy. This process is supported by a reference group comprising service providers and individuals with lived experiences. A draft strategy is expected to be submitted to Minister of State responsible for drugs strategy by December. It is intended that the successor national drug strategy along with a two-year action plan will be published in 2026 with a subsequent action plan envisaged for 2028-2029.

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