Prevention and tackling alcohol need to be main focus of next drugs strategy, department told

Participants were also keen for drug consumption rooms — currently being piloted in Dublin — to be made available 'around the country'.

The next national drugs strategy needs to put greater focus on prevention and tackling alcohol, according to people working in the area as well as former users of drugs and their families.

A consultation report, published by the Department of Health, is part of a series of documents being produced to help inform the development of the next drugs strategy, covering 2026 to 2033.

The consultation, conducted by independent facilitators, spoke to over 240 people working in relevant sectors: national structures, local and regional drug and alcohol task forces, the HSE, community drug groups, service providers, as well as individuals and families affected by drugs.

Areas flagged as priorities, or of importance, in the new strategy include:

• A “stronger focus” on alcohol with more actions funded, with many participants highlighting “inadequate responses” and a “shortfall” in funding;
• Drug prevention should be seen as a “critical strategic priority” in the new strategy;
• Peer-led prevention and education, and a national awareness campaign, should be important parts of the prevention strategy;
• New structures to enhance the input of service users and task forces in national and local structures;
• The National Oversight Committee (NOC) — combining departments, state agencies and community groups — “should have the ability to resolve issues” rather than just “give updates”;
• “Greater collaboration and communication” between the HSE and the task forces and more consultation with task forces by the Department of Health;

The participants also highlighted the need for family support groups to have a role in the NOC after the collapse of the National Family Support Network and for improved family support in local areas. 

They also flagged a specific need for enhanced services for under 18s and their parents. The issue of nitrous oxide among children and young people was also raised.

Participants were also keen for drug consumption rooms — currently being piloted in Dublin — to be made available “around the country”.

Citywide, a network of community drug projects, Uisce, an organisation of current and former users of drugs, Family Addiction Recovery Ireland, a new body representing families and the chairs of local and regional task forces have complained of their exclusion from a steering group set up to design the next strategy.