Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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1624. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made on the pilot drug testing service as part of the HSE harm-reduction programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/21]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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1625. To ask the Minister for Health if on-site testing of drugs at festivals will be available in 2021 as part of a harm-reduction strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34517/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1624 and 1625 together.

Government policy in relation to drug and alcohol addiction services is set out in the National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery-a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. Action 11 of the strategy aims to strengthen early harm reduction responses to current and emerging trends and patterns of drug use. To this end, the Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group was established in 2019.

The Working Group was chaired by the HSE and comprised of representatives from the Department of Health, laboratory biochemists and toxicologists, NGO sector and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, a festival safety coordinator, academic expertise, student representation and representation from the nightlife scene.

The group looked at evidence in relation to early harm reduction responses, such as drug testing, amnesty bins and media campaigns on current and emerging trends including the use of new psychoactive substances. It reviewed literature on nightlife drug use, health and social responses and drug checking methodologies. It also engaged with experts at European level.

This report of the working group is being finalised and will be published in September. The report will include a series of recommendations which will inform policy on harm reduction.

I am committed to increase and support drug-quality testing services, particularly at festivals. I look forward to receiving the report of the working group and to considering its recommendations.