Drugs Policy

The Government response to drug and alcohol use is set out in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017 – 2025. The foundation for the strategy is the Healthy Ireland Framework.

The strategy aims to promote healthier lifestyles within society and encourage people to make healthier choices around drug and alcohol use.

Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery is the National Drugs Strategy.

Five strategic goals have been identified under the strategy:

• promote and protect health and wellbeing
• minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery
• address the harms of drug markets and reduce access to drugs for harmful use
• support participation of individuals, families and communities
• develop sound and comprehensive evidence-informed policies and actions

The strategy contains a 50 point Action Plan from 2017 to 2020. It provides the scope to develop further actions between 2021 and 2025.

A National Oversight Committee, chaired by the Minister with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, meets quarterly to support implementation of the strategy.

A Standing Sub-Committee of the National Oversight Committee drives implementation of the strategy and promotes co-ordination between national, local and regional levels.

For more information, please visit the dedicated page for the National Oversight Committee

Local and regional drug and alcohol task forces implement the national drugs strategy in the context of the needs of their local area.

The strategy is implemented through action plans which have identified existing and emerging gaps in:

• supply reduction
• prevention
• treatment
• rehabilitation
• research

Drug and alcohol task forces comprise representatives from a range of relevant agencies, such as the HSE, the Gardaí, education and training boards, and local authorities, as well as elected public representatives and voluntary and community sector representatives.

Minister Hildegarde Naughton announces new chairperson of North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Task Force

The following guidelines have been created to support the safe resumption of drug and alcohol services for vulnerable and at risk people across Ireland. People living with drug and alcohol addictions may experience poor physical health and weakened immune systems – making them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

These guidelines provide practical tips on how to operate support and recovery groups, community projects and treatment programmes in a safe manner - particularly during Level 5 of the government’s Plan for Living with COVID-19.

For more information, vist the page for theNational Oversight Committee.