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

I thank Senator Warfield. I know how well he understands these problems. Like many of us who have come from communities where drugs have had a significant impact on families, friends and young people, the new strategy will take on some of these issues. As we continue to draw down on the actions and strategy, particularly with the working group on personal drug use, at the end of the year we may have progress in this area, looking at treating in a more health-led way rather than a criminal way those young people who, unfortunately, may find themselves addicted to drugs. If a young person has made a mistake in life, we need to give him or her the opportunity to recuperate and go back into his or her community.

We have established a great working group and, by the end of December, we will have some recommendations from it. We will then continue the journey in January and onwards in 2019 around looking at what Senator Warfield raised, particularly around drug testing. Last year, I visited a drug testing service in Wales. I was struck by the fact that any measures that can reduce harm and death caused by drug use need to be introduced as soon as possible.