The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD recently published the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029.
This draft strategy sets out an equitable and evidence-based response to drug use, reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to reducing harms through a health-led approach. It has been informed by the findings of the independent evaluation of the previous strategy, current trends in drug use and harmful alcohol consumption, the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, and the views of a broad range of stakeholders, including Oireachtas committees. Acknowledging the overlap between problem drug and alcohol use, the draft strategy presents an integrated response that aims to reduce the harms associated with all substances.
Publishing this draft strategy at this stage will ensure that the views of stakeholders, members of the public – particularly those with lived experience – along with charities, advocacy groups, and public representatives, are fully considered in the final strategy. This will help ensure that it reflects the current landscape, as well as the dynamic and ever-changing nature of problem drug and alcohol use, said Government.
To facilitate this process, a public consultation will be launched in the coming weeks. Following this, an engagement process will be initiated to review the regional governance structures for the strategy and to ensure their alignment with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Health Regions. This process will involve all relevant stakeholders, including the HSE and the drug task forces, and is scheduled to be completed by June 2026.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said: “It has been almost 10 years since the last national drugs strategy was published. In that time, we have seen significant changes in the prevalence of drug use across Ireland and have deepened our understanding of the harms caused by drug use and harmful alcohol consumption.
“I have published this draft strategy to ensure that everyone, including those with lived and living experience of drug use, families, communities, and the organisations that fund, plan, and deliver services can understand the proposals and share their views. Their input is essential to ensuring that the final strategy is truly fit for purpose.”
The new strategy upholds the right to health, recognising that people who use drugs or alcohol in a harmful way are entitled to access healthcare services and to be supported in their recovery journey, regardless of social background or location.
It outlines five strategic pillars:
- Protection from harm;
- Provision of high-quality treatment services;
- Promotion of recovery;
- Prioritisation of health supports over criminal sanctions, and;
- Preparedness for global drug threats.
