HSE ‘not to blame for drug plan failure’

THE department overseeing the national drugs strategy — and not the HSE — is responsible for the failure to implement the Government’s rehabilitation strategy, a leading community drugs representative has claimed.

Anna Quigley, co-ordinator of the CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign, said that to some extent it suited the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to shift the blame to the HSE.

“Our view is the department is not taking responsibility. At the end of day, they are responsible for implementation of that rehab report,” said Ms Quigley, who is the community representative on the National Drugs Strategy Team.