New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (2006-2011) (PDF 272 KB)

Consultation Outlining proposals for a five-year plan

National Drugs Strategy 2001 - 2008

In April 2000, the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion requested that a review of the current national drugs strategy be undertaken. The overall objective of the review was to identify any gaps or deficiencies in the existing strategy and to develop revised strategies and, if necessary, new arrangements through which to deliver them. A sub-group of the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs and the National Drugs Strategy Team â?" known as the Review Group â?" managed and oversaw the process. As part of the review, a study of the latest available data on the extent andnature of drug misuse in Ireland was undertaken. This revealed that the most commonly used drug in Ireland is cannabis, followed by ecstasy. However, in terms of harm to the individual and the community, heroin has the greatest impact. Download the Report here

Mid Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy 2001 - 2008

2004 marked the half-way point of the National Drugs Strategy and a mid-term review was initiated in June last year. The review was overseen by a Steering Group chaired by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.The overall aim of the review was to examine the progress being made in achieving the key strategic goals set out in the Strategy and to enable priorities for future action to be identified â?" and a re-focussing of the Strategy if necessary â?" for the remaining period up to 2008. The Steering Group was also asked to examine the relevance of the Strategy in tackling the current nature and extent of drug misuse in Ireland, including emerging trends, and to identify any gaps presenting and how they might be addressed Download the Report here

National Drugs Strategy 2009 - 2016

National Drugs Strategy 2009 – 2016 Click here to download PDF 2.6mb

European Schools Survey Project on Alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD)

ESPAD is a collaborative effort of independent research teams in about forty European countries and the largest cross-national research project on adolescent substance use in the world. Data are collected every fourth year with 1995 as the starting point. The fourth data collection was carried out in 35 countries during the spring of 2007 and the results were published March 26, 2009 The overall purpose of the ESPAD project is to study adolescent substance use in Europe from a comparative and longitudinal perspective. The basic goal is to collect comparable data on the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs among students throughout European countries. Data should be collected in cooperation between countries using a strictly standardised methodology, in order to offer as comparable results as possible. In the long run the most important aim is to monitor the of trends of the adolescent substance use in European countries and to compare trends between countries. This includes the mapping of differences and the monitoring of trends for policy purposes as well as the scientific study of the context, predictors and consequences of adolescent substance use. In relation to the EU action plan on drugs and the WHO Europe declaration about young people and alcohol, ESPAD-data can provide information for the evaluation of these charters. It is intended to repeat the surveys every fourth year. All European countries are welcome to join the ESPAD study, in the effort of making the coverage across Europe as complete as possible. Click here to download PDF 2.1mb

2012 Progress Report of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 - 2016

The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is to tackle the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by problem drug use and alcohol use through the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The progress achieved across the 63 Actions of the National Drugs Strategy by Government Departments and Agencies is reported here. Click here to download PDF 155kb

National Drugs Strategy 2009-16: Implementation of Actions Progress Report End 2012

The National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery. It is based upon a co-ordinated approach across the full range of Government Departments and Agencies involved in delivering drugs policy. The overall objective of the Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals, families and communities as a result of problem drug and alcohol use through the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The progress achieved across the 63 Actions of the National Drugs Strategy by Government Departments and Agencies is reported here. Click here to download PDF 295kb  

National Drugs Strategy 2009 - 2016 - End of Year Progress Report for 2013

Drugs misuse continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing our country.   It is highly destructive and has devastating effects on individuals, relationships, families, communities and society in general. Implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, which sets out Government policy in dealing with the drugs problem, is being pursued across a range of Government Departments and Agencies.  Solid progress is being made across the 63 Actions of the Strategy, which are based around the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The Oversight Forum on Drugs, which is Chaired by Minister Mr Alex White, meets on a quarterly basis and reviews the implementation of the Strategy. The 2013 Annual Progress Report on the implementation of the actions of the National Drugs Strategy is available here.

Drugs and solvents: a guide for parents

This booklet provides information on why young people try drugs, the risks of taking illegal drugs, the signs of drug taking and information about individual drugs.

Talking about drugs: a guide for parents

This leaflet explains why and at what age parents should talk to their children about drugs and also provides advice and tips on how to do this.

What do you know about drugs? Your body, your life, your choice

This booklet provides information about the appearance, street names and effects of various drugs including: cannabis, LSD, magic mushrooms, Ecstasy, solvents, poppers, speed, cocaine, crack, heroin, alcohol and tobacco.

Action plan against Drugs and Drug Addiction: Horizons 2008

Portugese action plan against drugs.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Report Against Drugs- an action plan to combat substance abuse in Longford.

The Forum for Longford was started in 1997 to provide a co-ordinated inter-agency approach to identify and help tackle social problems in Longford. A survey was carried out with 1,331 post-primary students to ascertain attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol, smoking and drug use. Of the pupils interviewed, 64% had taken an alcoholic drink at age 15 or younger; of these 73% had their first drink between the ages of 12 to 15. Of those that had experience of alcohol, 51% drank several times a week or daily. For smoking, 67% had smoked a cigarette; of these 8% smoked 5 or more daily. Of those that smoked, 47% began between the ages of 11 to 14. With regard to illegal drugs 27% had used cannabis, 20% had used inhalants, 10% hallucinogens, 9% amphetamines and 7.4% had used ecstasy. Following on form these findings, the report makes several recommendations, including the formation of a community task force, Garda/ neighbourhood watch response, schools prevention and information. Also among these key areas are the role of parents, the needs of young people and facilities for young people.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.