Thank you, Llywydd. Can I thank Peredur for tabling this debate today and for his very thoughtful contribution, and also thank Luke Fletcher and Jenny Rathbone for their contributions, and also confirm to Peredur that I'm very happy to engage with his new cross-party group and am looking forward to working with him?

Repairing the ravages of substance misuse for those struggling with addiction is vital if we are to help people live a life beyond it. We must provide support and treatment, but also work to break down stigma and give hope to those who, in the grips of addiction, will feel at their most hopeless. 

Since I came into post, I've met a number of people and organisations involved in the substance misuse field, and have been genuinely impressed at the work and levels of commitment in this area. During the pandemic, huge efforts were made and continue to be made by those running substance misuse services to ensure that vital help and support continues to be delivered to some of the most vulnerable individuals in Wales. Substance misuse services have responded rapidly to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, and I want to place on record my thanks to our public and third sector partners for this tremendous effort. 

Our substance misuse delivery plan 2019-22 was revised in January, in light of coronavirus, to ensure the work that was being undertaken and continues to be undertaken is meeting the evolving level of need. Our area planning boards and other partners strive to deliver the actions within this plan, and I'm committed to supporting them to do so. And Welsh Government has a strong track record of commitment to this area. We invest almost £55 million in our substance misuse agenda per annum. Over £25 million of this is allocated to our substance misuse area planning boards and almost £21 million is ring-fenced to help boards in Wales. Area planning boards work in partnership with key agencies to commission substance misuse services in their local area, based on local need.