I support the motion and the amendment. I thank colleagues from Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party for bringing these important issues to the Assembly.

NISRA's 2024 report on drug-related and drug-misuse deaths makes for truly shocking reading. It is extremely concerning that there has been a 98% increase in deaths due to drug-related causes since 2012. It is also concerning that the majority of those deaths — 55·8% — were of individuals aged between 25 and 44. As the motion rightly states, opioids are consistently the most common form of drug listed as a cause of death, averaging 118 deaths a year between 2020 and 2022. By comparison, road deaths average around 54, which, obviously, is still far too high.

Like the proposer, I attended the vigils at Stormont and spoke to families who have lost a loved one. It can be easy to get lost in the statistics in debates such as this, but we should never forget that each drug- and alcohol-related death is the loss of an individual and a devastating loss for their families, friends and wider community. We must do everything that we can to tackle the harms around substance abuse. It is important that the Department of Health progresses the implementation of the 57 actions outlined in the substance use strategy.

With support, people can turn their lives around. We have seen that again and again. As has been noted by Members, tackling drug addiction and drug-related deaths is not solely a health issue, and a joined-up collaborative approach is required across the Executive to confront the root causes of drug addiction.