Written answers

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

National Drugs Strategy

9:00 pm

Photo of Tom HayesTom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 347: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects and policies planned for south Tipperary under the national drugs strategy 2009 to 2016. [19553/08]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The process of developing a new National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009–2016 has commenced in my Department. In this context, a Steering Group has been established with representatives from the key statutory, community and voluntary interests involved in tackling problem drug use. The work of the Group is ongoing and an extensive consultation process is currently underway. I look forward to the development of a new Strategy that will further strengthen our overall response to the evolving drugs problem. With this in mind, the Deputy will appreciate that I would not like to pre-empt the outcome of this process.

With regard to the current strategy, the South Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force, which includes Tipperary South, has been allocated approximately €1.6m this year. An alcohol and substance misuse campaign to highlight and promote positive extra curricular activities specifically aimed at young people to distract them away from alcohol and substance misuse into healthier pursuits has been funded. An outreach worker is also funded to provide support, mentoring and outreach services to young people in South Tipperary who are at risk of substance misuse or engaged in substance misuse and who are excluded for these reasons. Funding has also been provided to Aiseirí Addiction Treatment Centre which provides residential treatment.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.