Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken by his Department to address the problem of drug taking on Dublin's streets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38577/14]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

120. To ask the Minister for Health if he has had recent discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality regarding the problem of persons taking drugs in the main shopping areas of Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38578/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.

In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has developed a national treatment and rehabilitation service that provides drug free and harm reduction approaches for problem substance users.

The HSE provide a variety of drug treatment interventions to reduce drug-related harm and which encourage problem substance users to engage with, and avail of such services. These services include needle exchange provision, together with evidence-based treatment options such as methadone maintenance treatment, counselling and community and residential rehabilitation.

The HSE co-operate with the local community representatives of the North and South Inner City and with local Gardaí to minimise any negative public order issues that may arise in the vicinity of its treatment centres.

The National Drugs Strategy is a high priority in Government and I work closely with my cabinet colleagues, including the Minister for Justice, to ensure its full implementation.

The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which I chair, monitors progress on the delivery of frontline services and addresses operational difficulties and blockages in implementing the Strategy. This forum brings together the key Government departments and agencies involved in the implementation of the Strategy.

As the specific issues raised by the Deputy are service matters they have been referred to the Health Services Executive for a more detailed response.