Implementing the National Drugs Strategy: Statements
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne):
I welcome this debate on the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A Health-led Response to Drug and Alcohol Use in Ireland 2017-2025. It is timely to have this debate, as next month marks the first anniversary of the launch of the strategy by the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Harris, and me. On taking up my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I was tasked with developing and implementing our new strategy.
I know first-hand of the devastation that the misuse of drugs and alcohol can cause to individuals, their families and local communities. I have worked as a local Deputy and councillor in my community for nearly 20 years and long before that I worked in my community in a voluntary capacity. I have met many people along the way whose lives have been destroyed by drugs and, sadly, I know of far too many who have lost their lives to drug addiction. Their deaths have devastated their families; partners, parents and most of all their children. In some cases, some of those who died were practically children themselves, young teenagers who got involved in drugs at a young age. It is for all these reasons that I strongly support the adoption of a health-led response to substance misuse, one that focuses on minimising harm and promoting recovery and rehabilitation, which reduces drug-related deaths and gives people the support they need to live a healthier life.
The strategy is guided by a strong set of values, including compassion, respect, equity, inclusion and partnership. It is evidence-informed. During the public consultation carried out in advance of the new strategy, these values came to the fore and I am committed to progressing the implementation of our strategy with these values firmly at its core.
As a first step in implementing the strategy, I secured an additional €6.5 million in the budget in 2018 for drug-related actions. That is on top of the €250 million spent every year on drug and alcohol services and programmes across all Departments and State agencies. The €6.5 million additional funding is being used to expand the availability of drug and alcohol treatment services.
The main priority in 2018 is for the Health Service Executive to tackle pressure points in drug and alcohol treatment services and reduce waiting times. New initiatives include the establishment of a treatment service in Kildare; the enhancement of treatment services in other areas, including Wexford, the midlands, Tipperary and Limerick; enhancement of the capacity of Cuan Dara unit to provide treatment on a national level for people with the most complex drug and alcohol dependency programmes; and the expansion of naloxone training for 300 people as well as the purchase of 1,300 naloxone kits. In addition, an extra 200 people will be receiving Suboxone treatment, which can be an alternative to methadone, in 2018.
A total of €3.2 million has been allocated to the HSE in 2018 to facilitate the expansion of drug and alcohol services with a particular focus on strengthening governance structures and increasing access to opioid substitution treatment by reducing waiting times across community health organisation areas. Further measures include the recruitment of four new clinical leads and three nursing managers, the recruitment of two new drug and alcohol liaison midwives in Cork and Limerick and the establishment of a step up, step down intermediate care facility for homeless people with drug and alcohol addictions. A total of €750,000 has been allocated to the HSE in 2018 to provide for the establishment of a supervised injecting facility in Dublin at Merchants Quay.
I welcome each of these developments but I am fully aware that the demand for drug and alcohol treatment services remains high. Through my regional visits and discussions with public representatives I am aware of the many worthwhile community projects seeking funding. I have discussed these at my parliamentary party meeting last night and with many Deputies in the Chamber. Members of the Seanad have raised the issue of funding of the taskforce as well. I am pleased to announce funding of €1 million to support and enhance services nationwide. This funding will be allocated as follows: once-off funding of €290,000 for taskforces in the fourth quarter of 2018, an allocation of €10,000 for each local drugs and alcohol taskforce and €15,000 for each regional drugs and alcohol taskforce. I believe these latter groups need a little extra because they have a wider remit and a greater spread over the country. Moreover, €710,000 will be allocated by the HSE in consultation with the taskforces. The taskforces will make recommendations for the funding of priority projects and services as well as new initiatives in the nine HSE community healthcare organisation areas.
The Department of Health is developing two new programmes for at-risk young people in disadvantaged areas and community awareness of alcohol-related harm. These programmes will each have funding of up to €1 million in a full year. These arise from specific commitments in the Department's Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery publication. There will be a consultation process with the stakeholders to inform the development of the two programmes.
Source: Oireachtas.ie, 28/06/18
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