Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can assure the Senator that I will do that. I understand that in order to have real impact, the support of families is central to the approach that has to be taken. Community-based drug and alcohol services are a key part of the national drugs strategy in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and really getting at the issues behind that problem, which are often extremely complex, as the Senator, who is a member of the board of Willow Community Counselling Services, knows better than I do. The complexity of the challenges associated with improving outcomes for people with co-occurring mental illness and substance misuse problems, or dual diagnosis, is recognised in the mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, as well as in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025, and the national drugs strategy.However, recognising that no single service can cater for the diverse needs of service users with dual diagnosis, we have to improve the overall structure. Willow Community Care is exactly in that space. It is clear to me that the model of care provided there is part of the dual diagnosis programme. It is clear that a model of care that describes a clear clinical pathway for all adolescents and adults suspected of having a dual diagnosis are supported through an integrated approach through primary care, substance misuse, community mental health and acute services.