17/09/2019
€2.2m Pledged To Implement National Drugs Strategy
Government has committed some €2.28 million to 12 strategic health initiatives to address priorities set out in the National Drugs Strategy.
Each project aimed at tackling drug and alcohol misuse throughout the country will be awarded €190,000 this month, with funding continuing to June 2022.
The initiatives will in turn target the following groups in various Community Health Organisations (CHOs):
• Young people affected by substance misuse (CHOs 1,3 and 4)
• Women who use drugs and alcohol (CHOs 7 and 9)
• Families and services users (CHOs 2, 6 and 9)
• Homeless and others with complex needs (CHOs 4, 5, 7 and 8)
The 12 successful strategic initiatives were selected following a rigorous assessment involving Department of Health officials, the HSE, service users and an external agency with expertise in service reform. The performance of the initiatives will be closely monitored and evaluated over the three-year funding period to observe which interventions work and which do not. There is also a commitment to carry out research so that any issues are identified and addressed.
Making the announcement, the Minister for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne TD said: "These new health initiatives reflect regional priorities agreed between the HSE Community Health Organisations (CHOs) and the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and ensure that resources are targeted at groups most in need. They will strengthen the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery', where the focus is firmly on early harm reduction, responding to emerging trends and patterns of substance misuse, and improving access to services for people with complex needs."
(JG/CM)
Each project aimed at tackling drug and alcohol misuse throughout the country will be awarded €190,000 this month, with funding continuing to June 2022.
The initiatives will in turn target the following groups in various Community Health Organisations (CHOs):
• Young people affected by substance misuse (CHOs 1,3 and 4)
• Women who use drugs and alcohol (CHOs 7 and 9)
• Families and services users (CHOs 2, 6 and 9)
• Homeless and others with complex needs (CHOs 4, 5, 7 and 8)
The 12 successful strategic initiatives were selected following a rigorous assessment involving Department of Health officials, the HSE, service users and an external agency with expertise in service reform. The performance of the initiatives will be closely monitored and evaluated over the three-year funding period to observe which interventions work and which do not. There is also a commitment to carry out research so that any issues are identified and addressed.
Making the announcement, the Minister for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne TD said: "These new health initiatives reflect regional priorities agreed between the HSE Community Health Organisations (CHOs) and the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and ensure that resources are targeted at groups most in need. They will strengthen the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery', where the focus is firmly on early harm reduction, responding to emerging trends and patterns of substance misuse, and improving access to services for people with complex needs."
(JG/CM)
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