Minister Murnane O’Connor launches major drug prevention report

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, has officially opened the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) conference in Dublin. The three-day event, held at the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, serves as an official engagement of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The conference brings together international experts to explore evidence-based innovations in prevention, with a specific focus on supporting health equity and leveraging new technologies.

During the proceedings, the Minister launched the 'Review of Prevention Systems in Ireland', a significant report commissioned by the Department of Health and the Health Research Board (HRB). Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the document evaluates current interventions against international standards. To ensure the findings are translated into meaningful action, the Minister confirmed the approval of new drug prevention lead positions across each of the six HSE Health Regions, designed to standardise and improve service delivery nationwide.

Health Research Board Chief Executive, Dr Gráinne Gorman, welcomed the report as a vital baseline for future policy development. The UNODC commended the Irish approach, noting that the country’s commitment to evidence-based systems serves as a model for other EU member states. Further details regarding the conference programme and the full text of the prevention review are available on the official government website.