The National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 is Ireland's new five-year plan for reducing the harms of drug and alcohol use, published by the Department of Health on 13 October 2026 after Government approval. It takes a health-led approach, prioritises prevention, treatment and recovery, and comes with a first action plan of 33 actions running to 2028.
The strategy was launched by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, and the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD. It includes the Government's response to the 36 recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use and, where appropriate, recommendations from the Joint Committee on Drug Use. The full documents are on gov.ie.
- Published: 13 October 2026, by the Department of Health, following Government approval.
- Period: 2026 to 2030, with a first action plan covering 2026 to 2028 and 33 specific actions.
- Approach: health-led, with a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention.
- Funding: Budget 2027 provides EUR 7 million to begin implementation, plus EUR 1.5 million to expand existing drugs initiatives.
- Justice link: health supports and alternatives to criminal sanctions for people in contact with the criminal justice system because of drug use, including the Health Referral Scheme.
- Consultation: 320 responses; 87% agreed or strongly agreed with a health-led approach.
What the new strategy sets out to do
According to the Government announcement, the strategy builds on Ireland's existing health-led response to drug and alcohol harms. It aims to provide equitable access to high-quality treatment, harm reduction and recovery supports; to prioritise health supports and alternatives to criminal sanctions for people who come into contact with the criminal justice system because of drug use; and to strengthen Ireland's preparedness for emerging threats in what the Government describes as an increasingly volatile global drugs market.
The strategy and its first two-year action plan include measures on prevention, family and community supports, services for women and minority groups, supports for people with disabilities and neurodivergent people, stigma reduction, the Health Referral Scheme, and responses to nitrous oxide and other emerging substances.
The five strategic pillars
The strategy is organised around five pillars, as listed by the Department of Health:
| Pillar | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protecting individuals, children, families and communities from the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use |
| 2 | Providing equitable access to high-quality drug and alcohol services across HSE Health Regions and population groups |
| 3 | Championing recovery and social integration in treatment, community services and public policy |
| 4 | Prioritising health supports for people in contact with the criminal justice system because of drug use |
| 5 | Preparing for and responding effectively to a more volatile and dynamic global drugs market |
What is in the first action plan to 2028
The first action plan covers 2026 to 2028 and sets out 33 specific actions for the initial implementation period. Among them, the Government lists the development of a national prevention strategy; a review of Ireland's prevention system against international good practice; implementation and evaluation of the Health Referral Scheme; stronger drug monitoring, drug-checking and early-warning arrangements; and new whole-of-government and regional governance arrangements.
The emphasis on drug monitoring, drug-checking and early warning is relevant beyond addiction services: it concerns how quickly the health system can detect and respond to new or contaminated substances, including nitrous oxide and other emerging substances named in the strategy.
How the EUR 7 million in Budget 2027 is allocated
Budget 2027 provides EUR 7 million to begin implementing the strategy, alongside a separate EUR 1.5 million to expand existing drugs initiatives. The new strategy funding is divided as follows:
| Allocation | Amount |
|---|---|
| HSE Health Regions | EUR 3.45 million |
| Drug and Alcohol Task Forces | EUR 2.4 million |
| Evidence-based prevention for children and young people (ring-fenced) | EUR 700,000 |
| Targeted dual diagnosis initiatives and supports for vulnerable groups | EUR 450,000 |
| Total new strategy funding | EUR 7 million |
| Expansion of existing drugs initiatives (separate) | EUR 1.5 million |
What the public consultation found
The public consultation on the draft strategy ran from 26 February to 10 April 2026 and received 320 responses from individuals and organisations. The Department of Health reports strong support for the health-led approach: 87% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with it. Respondents also stressed the importance of involving people with lived and living experience in the design, delivery and review of services.
The strategy was also informed by an independent evaluation of the previous strategy, national and international evidence on the harms of drug and alcohol use, and stakeholder engagement on new structures for participation in planning and delivering services.
What the ministers said
"Today's Cabinet approval for the National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 is an important milestone in strengthening Ireland's response to the harms of drug and alcohol use. The strategy places health, wellbeing and dignity at its core, with a clear focus on prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and social inclusion."
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Health
"The National Drugs Strategy marks an important step forward in Ireland's health-led response to the harms of drug and alcohol use. It puts prevention, early intervention and timely, compassionate support at its centre, while recognising the vital role of families and communities."
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy
"While law enforcement continues to play a vital role in tackling organised criminal networks that profit from the drugs trade, we must also ensure that people who come into contact with the criminal justice system because of drug use can access the health services they need."
Jim O'Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
How the strategy will be delivered
Implementation will combine national leadership with regional and local ownership. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will work with HSE Health Regions, local authorities, statutory agencies, community and voluntary services, and people with lived and living experience to identify local needs, strengthen integrated care and referral pathways, and tailor responses to different communities. The Government says governance, evidence, data, monitoring and workforce development arrangements will support accountability, with national governance and regional delivery structures aligned to the HSE Health Regions.
For people working in Irish health services, this points to regional planning through the HSE Health Regions and more structured referral pathways between justice, health and community services. Related workforce developments in addiction care include the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland strategic plan for 2026-2029, which prepares the profession for statutory regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When was the National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 published?
A: The Department of Health published it on 13 October 2026, following Government approval.
Q: How many actions are in the first action plan?
A: The first action plan covers 2026 to 2028 and sets out 33 specific actions.
Q: How much funding does the strategy have?
A: Budget 2027 provides EUR 7 million to begin implementation, plus EUR 1.5 million to expand existing drugs initiatives.
Q: What is the Health Referral Scheme?
A: It is part of the strategy's focus on health supports and alternatives to criminal sanctions for people who come into contact with the criminal justice system because of drug use. The first action plan includes its implementation and evaluation.
Q: Does the strategy respond to the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use?
A: Yes. It incorporates the Government's response to the Assembly's 36 recommendations, published alongside the strategy.
Conclusion and Outlook
The National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 sets a health-led direction for the next five years, with 33 first-phase actions to 2028 and EUR 7 million from Budget 2027 to start delivery through the HSE Health Regions and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The next milestones are the development of a national prevention strategy, the evaluation of the Health Referral Scheme, and new drug monitoring, drug-checking and early-warning arrangements. We will report on implementation as the Department of Health and the HSE publish progress.
Cover image: AI-generated illustration. It is not a photograph of the launch event, and the names and text shown in it are not real.
Sources
- Department of Health, National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 (publication page, 13 October 2026)
- National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030 (PDF)
- National Drugs Strategy 2026-2028: Action Plan (PDF)
- Government response to the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use (PDF)
- Government of Ireland press release, "Ministers for Health publish new National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030", 13 October 2026
- RTE News, Govt launches new health-led strategy to target drug use, 13 October 2026
