This is the burning question for all working in the Drugs Sector and it would appear that this Govt don't see fit to appoint a Junior Minister to be responsible for what is a significant issue facing communities.
It is highly likely that if anyone is appointed then it will be tagged on to another of the junior ministers roles. And what I am also concerned about - and it is a concern that was raised by Eamon O'Cuiv and Johnathon O'Brien,that once transferred to Health,that drugs becomes a health issue, rather than a community issue.
The role of the drugs task forces has been to challenge HSE to ensure an adequate,modern, evidence based,innovative approach is used to tackle the drugs issue, which I would be concerned would be lost under health.
It would have been more sensible to move drugs and drugs task forces under community and local govt, so county plans/responses could be developed and implemented,very much using the partnership,multi-agency approach that is currently being used, and despite criticism, has achieved a number of successes.
There is now also the danger,under health and without a dedicated minister,that funding will not be ringfenced/prioritised for drugs task forces and that drugs, as now a seemingly low priority for the govt ,vital services, provided by the community and voluntary sector will be lost.
chris black
Posted on 19 Apr 2011 12:00 am
This is the burning question for all working in the Drugs Sector and it would appear that this Govt don't see fit to appoint a Junior Minister to be responsible for what is a significant issue facing communities.
It is highly likely that if anyone is appointed then it will be tagged on to another of the junior ministers roles. And what I am also concerned about - and it is a concern that was raised by Eamon O'Cuiv and Johnathon O'Brien,that once transferred to Health,that drugs becomes a health issue, rather than a community issue.
The role of the drugs task forces has been to challenge HSE to ensure an adequate,modern, evidence based,innovative approach is used to tackle the drugs issue, which I would be concerned would be lost under health.
It would have been more sensible to move drugs and drugs task forces under community and local govt, so county plans/responses could be developed and implemented,very much using the partnership,multi-agency approach that is currently being used, and despite criticism, has achieved a number of successes.
There is now also the danger,under health and without a dedicated minister,that funding will not be ringfenced/prioritised for drugs task forces and that drugs, as now a seemingly low priority for the govt ,vital services, provided by the community and voluntary sector will be lost.