Written answers
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Department of Health
National Drugs Strategy
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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492. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the word "alcohol" was not included in the title of the national drugs strategy, in view of the fact that alcohol was included in the remit of various alcohol and drug task forces in the period of the last Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23343/17]
Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. A Steering Committee, led by an independent chair, has been established to advise me on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period from 2017 onwards.
The Steering Committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, defined as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illegal drugs and incorporating the relevant recommendations of other related policies, including the National Substance Misuse Strategy.
I understand that the Steering Committee is continuing with its deliberations with a view to presenting its final report to me shortly. I hope to bring my proposals to Government thereafter. Once approved by Government, the new strategy will then be published by the Department of Health.
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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493. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered appointing a CEO over all the drug and alcohol task forces nationally in order to ensure a universal and common approach to policy, finance, spending, administration and other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23344/17]
Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Government policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The Strategy is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery, which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drug problem, involving the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.
As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee has been established to advise me on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy from 2017 onwards. The Committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse.
The Department is currently developing a performance measurement framework for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, which should provide a more objective way of targeting funding allocations, having regard to the drugs situation and demographic factors in Task Force areas. This work will feed into the new Strategy and help to ensure that in future resources are directed towards communities facing a higher risk of substance misuse.
I expect the Steering Committee to submit its final report, which will include proposed new governance structures, to me shortly. It would not be appropriate for me to consider issues relating to governance and oversight of Drug and Alcohol Task forces in advance of receiving and considering the Steering Group's Report.
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