New national drugs strategy pledges raft of actions to prevent drug use 

Minister for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor and minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill at the launch of the new at Government Buildings on Tuesday. Picture: Cate McCurry/PA

The Government’s new national drugs strategy has acknowledged that inadequate focus and resources has been placed on prevention, treatment, community services, and recovery.

The National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 outlines commitments to address these shortcomings and invest in other areas.

Together with the 90-page strategy, the Government also published a 40-page action plan, setting out steps that are due to be taken.

In addition, the Government published a 24-page response to the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs, published in January 2024, and the analysis and recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use, published last June.

The Government has not accepted the key recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly report, which called for an "effective" policy of decriminalising the possession of drugs for personal use, as well as a committee recommendation seeking changes in the law for an official policy of decriminalisation.

The response said the “first priority” is to expand alternatives to criminal sanctions and cites the introduction last month of the Health Referral Scheme, which gives one opportunity of a health referral.

In the strategy document, the Government said prevention of drug and alcohol use is the “critical first step” in protecting children, adults, families, and communities.

It said policy on prevention had remained “underdeveloped” and lacked a comprehensive response. Both the assembly and the committee highlighted the particular need to focus on, and invest in, prevention.

In relation to the provision of treatment services, the strategy said: “There is evidence that the funding for service provision has failed to keep pace with changing needs and has, over time, resulted in uneven access to care for certain communities and regions.” 

On funding community-based services, it said: “Building the capacity of services will require adequate funding and the development of staff resources."

Actions include expanding treatment services and giving “an active role” to users of drugs and their families.

The strategy also said that the establishment of additional supervised injection centres should be explored. The action plan states that “expansion options” will be developed.

Harm reduction a 'key component'

The strategy states that harm reduction is a “key component” of service provision, for different groups.

“This applies to emerging trends and patterns of drug use in recreational settings, and to high-risk drug consumption among people who are homeless and other vulnerable groups,” it said.

It said psychoactive substances are “increasingly” appearing on the market, often mislabelled or in mixtures, leaving consumers “potentially unaware of what they are using".

It said the capability to identify and respond to emerging threats and challenges “has become critical”, citing the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids and opioids, such as nitazenes.

It said the assembly called for a significant expansion of drug checking facilities and initiatives.

On alternatives to criminal sanctions, the strategy said actions include the implementation of the Health Referral Scheme, strengthening the Drug Court model and case management practices operated by voluntary group Ana Liffey and gardaí.

While stating that the Health Referral Scheme is a “significant development”, the strategy does note that it only applies to first-time offences.

It adds: “On a second occasion, an adult caution may be applied. However, the use of a caution for adults is currently confined to the possession of cannabis. 

"This restriction should be reviewed to include other types of drugs under the adult caution scheme, in line with the original Government decision on a health led approach.”

• Cormac O’Keeffe is Security Correspondent.