Thank you. Mr Deputy Speaker. I commend the proposer of the motion for bringing forward such an important topic for discussion.

Alcohol and drug abuse can ruin families and sadly cost lives. I offer my deepest sympathies to all families who have sadly lost loved ones in such difficult circumstances. I cannot start to imagine the helplessness and grief experienced by families as they watch a close loved one succumb to the dreadful illness of uncontrolled addiction.

Unfortunately there is not a town, village or, indeed, corner of any of our constituencies that has escaped unscathed the ravages of drug abuse and addiction. As the motion rightly highlights, drug-related deaths are significantly more common in the areas of highest deprivation. That presents an even greater need for us, as MLAs, and all Ministers and stakeholders to ensure that we, collectively, do all we can to highlight and tackle the problem.

Of course, the dilemma with addiction and drug-related deaths is that the problem can be so large and multifaceted that it requires an all-encompassing response. No single reason or automatic change in circumstances leads to such challenges in one's life. Addiction and drug misuse is a society-wide problem, but some contributory factors are more common than others. Poverty and deprivation are certainly two, but there are many others such as mental health, family and personal circumstances and, even, more deep-rooted inequalities such as educational attainment and housing standards. There is, unfortunately, a particularly deep-rooted and interlinking connection between homelessness and drug misuse. However, overall, there are no specific causes, and thus addiction and, tragically, drug-related deaths can visit any home across Northern Ireland.

I am sure that the Preventing Harm, Empowering Recovery substance use strategy will be referenced regularly during the debate, and so it should be. It goes without saying that we should all have a close interest and desire to see that strategy implemented. It is important to note that many of the underlying causes and harms arising from substance use cannot be tackled by one Minister or one Department. Thankfully, thinking back to the strategy's launch in 2021, I recall that it had Executive-wide support, and I suspect that it retains broad cross-party support to this day. Of course, whilst the substance use strategy is a very important document, it sits alongside other equally important pieces of work, such as the 10-year mental health strategy and Making Life Better, Northern Ireland's overarching framework for public health.

Nevertheless, whilst it is all fine and well to have well-intended strategies, as the Minister has often said, the true value of such documents and plans can be truly realised only through delivery and implementation. In that regard, I am glad that there appears to have been some good progress already. Particularly relevant to today's debate is the work on substance use services, which I was pleased to see moved to the next step earlier this year and which I look forward to hearing more about, not only later in the debate but in the weeks and months ahead.

That brings me to my amendment. Ultimately, whilst I suspect there is likely broad political unanimity on implementing the various plans relevant to the debate, we need to realise that, if we wish to see the full potential of the improvements and transformations on offer, it will cost money. The Executive must decide collectively whether the strategies that the previous Executive signed up to are still a priority and are still to be taken forward and funded as such. Whilst we can certainly never put a price on a life, we need to remember that sufficient upfront investment in substance use and mental health services can often save much more in the longer term. As Ministers meet in the coming days and weeks to thrash out the 2024-25 Budget, I hope that the real implications of the future viability of the various hugely important health strategies and plans remain to the fore of their minds.

Moving to the other key part of my amendment, I fully agree that it is important that we examine and enhance our existing inpatient treatment services. I hope that the review that is under way sets a clear and evidence-driven direction of travel. While I largely cannot fault any of the substantive motion, I had some concern about the reference to locating a new residential rehabilitation service in Belfast. Whilst I absolutely understand that there have been some particularly compelling calls for such a service in Belfast, there are calls for the service to be located somewhere else in Northern Ireland that are, perhaps, equally persuasive. I think in particular of the services that are on offer in the Northlands centre in Londonderry as an example. Of course, it is essential that the location of any new service is evidence-led and decided only after full and detailed consideration. That is why the tier 4 review that is under way is so important. Whilst my amendment removes the call for the service to be located in Belfast, that does not necessarily mean that it will not be; it will be located wherever it has the greatest impact and benefit.

I am happy to move today's amendment. Again, I thank the sponsors of this important motion. I end my remarks by offering my heartfelt sympathy to every family that has lost a loved one in such difficult circumstances.