Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department has set up a working group to revise the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces Handbook in line with Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. The working group is expected to complete its work in early 2020. One of the outputs of the group will be a new code of governance for Task Forces in line with best practice in the community, voluntary and charitable sectors. My Department will support the implementation of this code of governance. This is an important step in strengthening the performance of task forces.

Measuring the overall effectiveness of the response to the drug problem is an important objective of drug policy. Resources should be directed towards interventions and strategies which are most likely to lead to a reduction in problem substance use and an improvement in public health, safety and well-being.

The level of progress achieved in delivering on the national drugs strategy Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery will be determined using performance indicators. To this end, the Department of Health has committed to operationalising a performance measurement system by 2020. The system is primarily concerned with the overall effects of implementing the drugs strategy at a population level, including the effects on the health, well-being and quality of life of people living in areas served by the Task Forces.