Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1918. To ask the Minister for Health the way he intends on dealing with the exponential increase in cocaine use and addiction in younger people that has been outlined in the latest Health Research Report (details supplied); if he will outline specifically his plans to deal with the reported 170% increase in cocaine abuse in younger people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30848/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Health Research Board recently published an overview entitled ‘Alcohol and other drug use among children and young people in Ireland’. Using multiple information sources, this publication outlines the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use among young people in Ireland. With this data, it examines the risk and protective factors that may encourage or discourage young people to begin using such substances, which may lead to problematic use, it also examines the consequences of drug and alcohol use, such as hospitalisations, death and crime.

This important research provides valuable insights into drug and alcohol use amongst our children and young people. An understanding about the alcohol and drug use among this cohort is key to providing evidence-based prevention and education to young people at this critical juncture in their lives.

The misuse of drugs and alcohol by all across society is concerning, but particularly so by young people of those of school going age. The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, promotes prevention initiatives regarding our young people and the misuse of drugs and alcohol. It recognises that substance misuse prevention strategies need to be evidence based and target families, schools, and communities in order to be an effective way of promoting health and well-being among the general population. 

The consequences of drug use can affect our young people’s health, undermine academic engagement and, sadly, may result in serious injury and death. We know that young people are the most likely to experiment with drugs, and therefore it is important that we collectively address these issues.

It is a strategic priority for the remaining period of the National Drugs Strategy to strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use and the associated harms among children and young people. An implementation group has been established to focus on the progression of this priority, under the auspices of the national oversight committee.

The Department of Health is developing a Prevention and Education Funding Programme which will support evidence-based prevention measures. Education and awareness programmes that are delivered alongside other measures, and which build life skills and confidence, are far more likely to be effective in encouraging protective and healthy behaviour than stand-alone measures.

I am committed to expanding prevention and education initiatives which support young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives and protect them from the dangers of drug and alcohol use.