Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Health

National Drugs Strategy

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1565. To ask the Minister for Health the legal position of drug-testing kits that would allow MDMA ecstasy users to test drugs for their safety; if a person may be arrested for possession of these kits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/17]

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1566. To ask the Minister for Health if there have been developments regarding the proposal to allow users of drugs in venues such as clubs to have them tested for potentially lethal ingredients. [28954/17]

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1565 and 1566 together.

Possession of a drug testing kit is not prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2017, so long as none of the constituent chemical components or reagents are subject to control under that legislation. However, it is important to note that the possession of a controlled drug, other than for legitimate medical or scientific purposes, is prohibited.

As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee has been established to advise me on a new national drugs strategy from 2017 onwards. The development of the new strategy has involved a systematic review of international evidence on interventions to tackle the drug problem, including the use of harm reduction options such as drug testing kits. I expect to receive the Steering Committee's final report shortly. I hope to be in a position to bring my proposals to Government on the new Strategy thereafter.

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