The overall objective of the Government's strategy in relation to drug misuse is to significantly reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research. With regard to treatment the objective is to provide a range of options to encourage and enable drug misusers to avail of treatment with the aim of reducing dependency and improving overall health and social well-being, with the ultimate aim of leading a drug-free lifestyle. However, it should be said that becoming drug free is not possible, in the short-term at least, for some individuals.
The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 which was published in May 2001 by the Taoiseach, is the result of a comprehensive review initiated by my colleague, Deputy Eoin Ryan, Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, in April 2000. An extensive consultation process was undertaken by the review group. First, submissions were invited, through the national media and by invitation, from interested individuals and groups and approximately 190 submissions were received. This was followed by a series of eight regional consultative fora in June, which were organised to give individuals and groups an opportunity to outline their views on how effective the current strategy is and how it might be improved-adapted. Approximately 600 people attended these fora. In addition, the Minister, Deputy Ryan and the review group met 34 different interested groups. With his officials he also visited Sweden, Australia and Switzerland to see at first hand the drugs strategies of those countries and examined the drugs policies in a number of other countries. Ireland's strategy would have elements of a number of other countries' policies such as Sweden, but it is unique in that the actions and targets identified have been developed in response to Irish needs.
The national drugs strategy has been developed around the four pillars of supply, prevention, treatment, including rehabilitation and risk reduction, and research. This approach incorporates, more or less, the full range of activities which are the hallmarks of modern drugs strategies in other jurisdictions. The strategy sets objectives and key performance indicators against which progress may be monitored. 100 individual actions have been identified which the relevant bodies have to carry out in order to implement the strategy and meet its objectives.
With regard to treatment, both detoxification and methadone maintenance are well recognised treatment options for an individual with a history of drug misuse. It should, however, be pointed out that success rates for detoxification either as an in-patient or as an out-patient are generally less than 20%. Support needs to be given to those who complete withdrawal in order to prevent relapse and it is often difficult for a client to maintain abstinence from drugs.
