The Lifeskills survey is carried out by the Department of Education and Skills in primary and post-primary schools.¹ Data have been collected in 2009, 2012, 2015 and a fourth round is expected to be carried out in 2018.² The findings of the 2015 Lifeskills survey were published in July 2017.³

The National Family Support Network (NFSN)¹ is an autonomous self-help organisation that provides support to families and respects the experiences of families affected by substance misuse in a welcoming non-judgemental atmosphere. On Thursday, 1 February 2018, the NFSN held its 19th Annual Service of Commemoration and Hope. This spiritual, multidenominational service is held in remembrance of loved ones lost to substance misuse and related causes and to publicly support and offer hope to families living with the devastation that substance misuse causes. Those in attendance included the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mícheál Mac Donncha; Comdt Caroline Burke, aide-de-camp to An Taoiseach; Archbishop Diarmuid Martin; Archbishop Michael Jackson; Bishop Eamonn Walsh; and other religious representatives, as well as family members, friends, and many people involved in substance misuse work. Music was provided by the soprano Nickola Hendy and the High Hopes Choir.