Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A key commitment in the programme for Government in relation to drugs policy is the development of a new national drugs strategy, which will take effect from January 2017 when the current strategy expires. The steering committee that has been established to oversee this process is representative of key stakeholders. It will provide guidance and advice to me on how the new strategy should address the problem of drug use, the structures through which this might be done and the incorporation of key performance indicators to measure the future effectiveness of the new policy. It is important for people to contribute to the open public consultation programme. It is envisaged that a health-led approach to drug use will be among the range of issues to be considered by the steering committee in the course of developing the new strategy. This will help to ensure people with drug problems are put at the centre of our drugs policy. This, in turn, will assist such people in leading the lives they want and aspire to in their communities.

Many of us who know people who are addicted to drugs are aware that such people often become outcasts in their communities. Their communities do not want to know them, even though they are sleeping in streets and gardens at night. If we are to give any hope to younger people, in particular, who find themselves caught up in the trap of addiction, we must change the attitudes that cause them to become outcasts in many communities. I emphasise that people can come back out of this dark hole. In many cases, they return to their communities and have children of their own. Last week, I attended an awards ceremony in Ringsend for people who have gone through addiction and availed of addiction services. A young man in his early 30s spoke about his experiences as someone who had been an out-and-out addict. There is no other way to describe it. He was on the ground. He said he was ashamed of the things he had done in his life. He said he would not have got to where he is today if services had not been provided to help him back out of the hole he was in. I do not think there was a dry eye in the house when he finished the passionate speech he made to the approximately 200 people who were in the room. He then introduced us to his 11 day old child, whom he had brought along to show us how much his life had changed. I mention this to show that there is hope for drug users.

I am keen to ensure there is a broad, comprehensive and inclusive consultation process that provides opportunities for public participation, particularly in communities that are affected by drug problems. It is intended to launch the public consultation process by the end of July. In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, it is expected that the steering committee will be in a position to submit its final report to me for consideration at the oversight forum on drugs in December 2016. I hope to receive the report in early December. I do not want to get it on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. I want it early in December. I reiterate my commitment as a citizen, as a public representative and as Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, and the commitment of the Government, to addressing in a balanced and effective way the challenges posed by drug misuse to individuals and their families, neighbours, friends and, above all, communities. I thank everybody who contributed to this debate. I think will be back here for a few hours next week. If Senators want to propose amendments, I will be more than happy to address them.