Ministers for Health publish independent evaluation of the National Drugs Strategy
- Foilsithe: 21 Iúil 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 21 Iúil 2025
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, and the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, have today published an independent evaluation of the National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025.
The evaluation assessed the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) on four domains: Impact, Governance, Performance and Coherence with international policies. The publication, which shows positive results across all areas, delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government.
On impact, the evaluation finds the NDS has made notable progress in advancing a health-led approach, particularly through the expansion of harm reduction initiatives such as naloxone distribution, needle exchange programmes, and drug-checking services.
On governance, the evaluation reports the introduction of strategic implementation groups and strengthened interagency collaboration at the local level as key achievements. These developments facilitate more responsive and context-sensitive service delivery.
On performance, the evaluation states that the NDS has contributed to improved data collection and monitoring. Cocaine was the most common main problem drug reported for drug treatment cases in 2024, indicating the changing profile of drug users and how prevalent cocaine use has become in Irish society.
On international cooperation, the evaluation concludes that the NDS is well-aligned with international frameworks, particularly the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan on Drugs 2021–2025 (29-30) and demonstrates strong engagement in multilateral drug forums. Ireland’s contributions to early warning systems and international research initiatives are commended.
The independent evaluation of the strategy also notes some challenges, including fragmented delivery of prevention and early intervention initiatives, and the need for alternatives to coercive sanctions. It includes 10 strategic recommendations with the aim of guiding the next phase of strategic development, ensuring a coordinated, equitable, and outcomes-focused response to drug use in Ireland.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
"As policymakers, it is essential that we identify what has worked well, what requires improvement, and ensure that the over €300 million in annual public expenditure on drugs delivers real impact.
"I welcome the report’s recommendations on enhancing equity and access to healthcare services for people who use drugs. These align closely with the Sláintecare reforms currently being implemented by the Department of Health. The establishment of new HSE health regions presents a valuable opportunity to tailor drug treatment services to population needs and to ensure that both existing and new funding is allocated effectively and transparently.
"I also take note of the proposals aimed at strengthening cooperation and coordination among the many public agencies and civil society organisations involved in delivering the national drugs strategy. One area I intend to prioritise is collaboration with British-Irish administrations and EU member states.
"The upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU offers a unique opportunity to foster greater collaboration between member states, the EU Drugs Agency, and civil society organisations. Together, we can better address the health and preparedness challenges posed by an evolving and dynamic drugs market."
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
"We have made significant progress in implementing the national drugs strategy, and I’m pleased that the independent evaluation documents the many achievements over the last eight years.
"I welcome the strong endorsement in the evaluation of the health-led response to drug use, including the proposed health diversion scheme for people found in possession of drugs for personal use. I am determined that the scheme will commence as soon as possible, in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government.
"The recommendations from the independent evaluation will inform the development of the successor National Drugs Strategy. We need to move forward with new policies and better services to address the ever-changing drugs situation. To this end, I have established a steering group to prepare a draft of the successor national drugs strategy, with a deadline of the end of 2025.
"It is my ambition that the successor national drugs strategy will further strengthen the health-led approach to drug use by addressing the health and social needs of people use drugs, reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities associated with drugs, and supporting recovery from drug addiction."
The review contains 10 strategic recommendations:
1: Improve the right to health for people who use drugs, providing culturally-sensitive and appropriate services for all groups.
2: Increase community engagement and involvement from people who use these services, ensuring that they are central to policy-making and service design.
3: Align service delivery with regional priorities, working with Health Regions to ensure that the implementation of a future drugs strategy and allocation of resources are appropriate to the local population needs.
4: Maintain and strengthen coordination and communication between the oversight structures of the National Drugs Strategy.
5: Establish mechanisms for interdepartmental collaboration, reflecting the need for systemic alignment across housing, justice and health sectors.
6: Continue to strengthen alternatives to coercive sanctions for those found in possession of drugs for personal use, such as the Health Diversion Scheme and community liaison roles.
7: Ensure equitable access to peer-led recovery services and develop national standards for recovery pathways.
8: Strengthen prevention and early intervention initiatives across sectors.
9: Strengthen the integration of alcohol within the national drugs strategy, rolling out integrated treatment services to enhance service delivery.
10: Invest in monitoring, evaluation and research systems to support evidence-based policy and accountability.
Notes
The National Drugs Strategy 2017-2025 is Ireland’s national framework for addressing substance use through a whole-of-government, person-centred, and health-led approach, framing substance use as primarily a public health issue.
The Department of Health commissioned Grant Thornton to review the implementation and impact of the National Drugs Strategy in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use was convened in 2023 to examine the legislative, policy and operational reforms required to mitigate the harms associated with drug use. The CADU published its final report in 2024, providing 36 recommendations spanning prevention, harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, recovery and a reconsideration of the roles of health and justice sectors to support an integrated and health-led response to drug use. These recommendations remain under active consideration of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use and are anticipated to play a significant role in shaping future strategies.