Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 52: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the finalised mid-term review of the national drugs strategy; the amendments and additions that have been made to the existing strategy; his further views on the creation of a new fifth pillar of the strategy to include rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22589/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The report of the steering group on the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy was published in early June. The report was the culmination of the mid-term review, a comprehensive review process which was launched last year and included an extensive public consultation.

The review was overseen by a steering group, chaired by my Department, and made up of the relevant Departments and agencies as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The steering group was also assisted by external consultants. The review sought to assess the impact and direction of the strategy at this mid-point stage and, in this regard, the group concentrated on identifying adjustments to the existing strategy and highlighting priorities for the remaining period up to 2008.

The steering group found that the current aims and objectives of the strategy are fundamentally sound. The review found that there are encouraging signs of progress since 2001 when the strategy was first launched, which suggests that the current approach to tackling the drugs problem is proving to be effective. At the same time, however, the report highlights the need to re-focus priorities and accelerate the roll out of some of the strategy's actions and, in this context, a number of new actions and amendments have been identified. These changes will, I believe, strengthen the strategy and enable it to better deliver its aims in the next two to three years. In overall terms, ten of the strategy's existing actions are being replaced, a further seven of the existing actions are being amended and there are eight new actions which aim to address issues such as family support and rehabilitation.

With regard to rehabilitation, this issue was identified by the steering group, and through the consultation process, as an area which needed to be developed. The steering group recommended that rehabilitation become the fifth pillar of the strategy and I strongly support this recommendation. To further this action, a working group is being set up to develop a policy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services. This group will be chaired by my Department and will consist of representatives from all relevant Departments and agencies and the community and voluntary sectors. The group is scheduled to report by the end of the year on the appropriate policy and actions to be implemented and I look forward to the outcome of its deliberations.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 53: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the adoption of the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2005-2008; the way in which this will impact on the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22590/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The European Council endorsed the EU Drug Strategy 2005-2012 in December of last year. This strategy sets out the framework, objectives and priorities for two consecutive action plans, the first of which is the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2005 to 2008. This action plan has not yet been adopted and is scheduled to be discussed at the next meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers.

The ultimate aim of the first action plan will be to significantly reduce drug use amongst Europe's population. It will also seek to reduce the harm to society and the damage to health caused by the use of and trade in illicit drugs. In addition, it will provide a framework for a balanced approach to reducing both the supply of and demand for illicit drugs. While the action plan will be directed primarily at European institutions and bodies, it will also provide a framework for action at member state level.

The issue of concurrence between the EU strategy and the national drugs strategy was examined as part of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy, which was published in early June. The steering group which oversaw the review found that the multi-disciplinary, balanced approach of the national drugs strategy and its aims and objectives are consistent with the EU strategy. In addition, the proposed actions of the new EU drugs action plan are broadly consistent with those in the current strategy and in the recommendations contained in the mid-term review. Accordingly, I am confident that the complementarities between national and EU approaches will be maintained into the future.