Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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715. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 929 of 29 September 2020, if there is an addiction or recovery policy unit in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28630/20]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s strategic response to addressing drug and alcohol problems in Ireland is set out in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery – a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025.

The Drugs Policy and Social Inclusion Unit is responsible for drugs policy in the Department of Health.

The unit has the following roles:

- to coordinate the implementation of the national drugs strategy

- to oversee the funding allocated through the Department of Health for drug and alcohol services

- to develop policy responses to changing patterns of drug use and emerging issues

- to support the national oversight structures for the national drugs strategy

- to represent Ireland at EU and international forums on drugs policy

- to analyse the implications of research and evaluation for drugs policy and planning

- to advise the Minister on drugs policy.