Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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515. To ask the Minister for Health his proposals to introduce new measures to deal with the growing problems due to the increasing availability of new psychoactive substances and the serious problems this is causing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15050/16]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act to bring a number of new substances under the scope of that legislation is currently being drafted and it is the intention to publish it before the House rises for the summer. In addition to this, regulations will be made to introduce substantial additional controls on certain prescription drugs being traded illicitly, such as benzodiazepines and z-drugs medicines. The planned measures include introducing import and export controls, tighter prescribing and dispensing controls as well as an offence of possession, thereby assisting the law enforcement roles of Customs and An Garda Síochána.

Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The overall objective of the Strategy is to continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. A Steering Committee, chaired by an independent chair and with representatives from the Statutory, Community and Voluntary Sectors, has been established to advise on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards.

A high level review of the current drug policy has been undertaken by a panel of international experts. The report of the review is expected to be finalised shortly and will highlight the key issues that need to be addressed under the new Strategy. The Committee will also consider the approach to drug policy in other jurisdictions and a review of international evidence on interventions to tackle the drug problem. Focus Groups have been established to advise the Steering Committee on the relevance of the current Strategy in tackling problem drug use in Ireland and to identify any gaps arising. This process will inform the identification of new measures to address the drug problem under the new Strategy.