Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Minister for Health the role of the national drug rehabilitation implementation committee in the drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20537/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery. A core objective of the National Drugs Strategy is the development of a national integrated treatment and rehabilitation service that provides drug free and harm reduction approaches for problem substance users.

The National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee (NDRIC) is chaired by the HSE and includes representation from relevant Government departments and agencies and the community and voluntary sectors. Its role includes overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of the 2007 Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, developing national protocols to facilitate the level of inter-agency cooperation needed to implement shared care plans, and overseeing case management and care planning processes.

The committee has developed a National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework to provide a 'continuum of care' for the recovering drug user through promoting a more integrated and client-centred approach based on shared care planning and inter-agency working. The rollout of the framework is currently being advanced through the HSE's Addiction Services and the Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. As part of this rollout, NDRIC is developing competency based training to be provided to all treatment providers and relevant agencies in Drug & Alcohol Task Force areas.

The Department of Health has commenced work on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period after 2016. Extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the public will take place as part of this process.