Alcohol and Drugs to be joined in a National Substance Misuse Strategy - Curran

Posted on 01/04/09 by John Curran Today the Government approved a combined substance misuse policy to include alcohol and drugs. This proposal was brought to Government by the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Health & Children.
Speaking today, John Curran T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, welcomed the initiative, stating:

"I am delighted that Government has approved this combined approach to drugs and alcohol. A combined strategy will facilitate a more coherent approach to the issues and consequences of alcohol and illicit drug use, including addictive behaviours. We cannot continue to look at these problems in isolation. The time has come for more joined-up thinking".
The Minister is currently overseeing the development of a new National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009-2016. Commenting on this process Minister Curran said:

"Throughout the consultation process for the new National Drugs Strategy, the issue of problem alcohol use was highlighted. Alcohol is seen, for many, as a gateway to illicit drug use and poly-drug use, often including alcohol, is now the norm among illicit drug users. People also have serious concerns in relation to the high level of alcohol consumption in Ireland, the pattern of drinking, especially binge drinking among young people and in the community generally, and the wider social harms which are associated with the misuse of alcohol."

Details regarding the new approach will be discussed over the coming weeks in the context of completing a National Substance Misuse Strategy.