Results 1,081-1,100 of 6,055 for speaker:Frank Feighan
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: The Deputy referred to stigmatisation. We have to take the stigma away from people who use drugs. I refer to the health-led approach in recent years. In addition, the work ongoing with the Department of Justice has been considerable. The Deputy referred to the drug task forces. They are the eyes and ears of the community. They bring to the attention of the HSE what needs to be funded...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I appreciate the Deputy's views but they spoke of the harm to themselves, their loved ones and their mental health. They also felt that no matter what grade cannabis was put in, most people would be looking for more of a high and young people under 18 years would still be targeted. I was surprised myself. When we have a citizens' assembly, and I hope we have it as quickly as possible, all...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I believe it is 10,000.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: Does that include the extra 1,000 who came on during the Covid crisis?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: The best way forward to me is the national drugs strategy. We received more than 20,000 submissions in 2017 and we have had a midterm review. It is a health-led approach. I grew up in the 1980s. There was not a drug problem as such. We had a drug problem but it was alcohol and tobacco. We did not deal with alcohol very well. The way we deal with these things is by destigmatising...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I thank the Deputy. I am looking forward to visiting Bushypark again. I have met Ms Margaret Nash on numerous occasions and am very aware of the great work she and her team have been doing at that centre. I will invite Dr. Keenan and Mr. Walsh to comment on the question of multi-annual funding.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I thank the Senator very much. I appreciate that her intention is very well meaning. We have said the war on drugs has not worked and that is why we brought in the national drugs strategy. In 2017, we-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: Yes, but in 2017 we got a new-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I do not believe that. I think-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: People who use drugs have human rights and we have met the group, Service Users' Rights in Action. We have said that a health version is required and compassion not punishment. We are moving in the right direction with the Department of Justice.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: Seeking to normalise drugs-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: In effect, Senator Ruane has taken one sentence out of a statement.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: In the Department of Health, we do not favour criminalisation. We want to cure people.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: We do not favour criminalisation, but what we have is a health-led approach.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: It is not a black and white issue. It is a health-centred approach. Sometimes justice is not an adequate strategy.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I am confident in our approach. Look at the evidence-based------
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: We have a difference of opinion here.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: I believe it is an opinion and it differs from others' opinions. Effectively, it is important that we live up to the responsibilities. If we were starting out today, would we legalise alcohol, tobacco and things like that? The consequences of drug use-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: No, I think we have a compassionate approach.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (19 Jan 2022)
Frank Feighan: The Senator is right about one thing. We have to acknowledge the social determinants of drug use. I agree with her there. We might take different paths but I agree with her that there are social determinants in drug use as well.