London School of Economics to hold workshop on current Irish approach to drug policy

London School of Economics to hold workshop on current Irish approach to drug policy

Since taking up office, the current Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Aodhán O’Ríordáin has been clear in his desire to implement evidence based, progressive drug policy in Ireland. He has spoken openly of his support for Medically Supervised Injecting Centres and has started a dialogue on decriminalisation in Ireland. His approach, which has been met with broad support in Ireland, has also been noticed by influencers overseas. On 2nd November, the London School of Economics is to hold a policy planning workshop which will have a focus on the current situation in Ireland. The expert roundtable discussion will involve academics, think-tank members, policy makers, practitioners and embassy officials.

Dr. John Collins is coordinator of the London School of Economics International Drug Policy Project and gave his observations on the development of Medically Supervised Injecting Centres in Ireland:

“The evidence internationally supports a radical change in how we deal with drugs. There is no doubt that if states are to provide solutions based on that evidence, punitive criminal justice approaches need to be abandoned in favour of funding health-based policy measures. Supervised injecting facilities are in line with this approach, and have been shown to be cost effective in other jurisdictions.”

Minister O ‘Ríordáin received draft legislation in May which would permit the operation of Medically Supervised Injecting Centres, and has been an advocate for their introduction. He has indicated that he is hopeful of starting the process of getting the legislation through the Oireachtas when the Dail returns from the summer recess. The evidence from other countries indicates that the introduction of such services, which provide drug users with a place to inject drugs under medical supervision, will help tackle the problem of public injecting and unsafe disposal of drug paraphernalia, in addition to facilitating access to treatment. Public drug use is a serious concern for policy makers, particularly in Dublin and given the significance of 2016 to the capital as the centenary of the Easter Rising. The proposal to introduce injecting centres has been broadly welcomed in Ireland, with delegates at the Minister’s ‘think tank’ in July supporting the measure.

In advance of the LSE’s policy workshop, the plan has also received praise from the international community. Dr. Rick Lines, head of Harm Reduction International, an international network which promotes evidence based public health policies and practices in relation to drug use, commended the Minister for showing leadership in the area:

“It’s great to see political leadership in Ireland on drugs policy. It’s easy to maintain the status quo – changing it requires bravery and commitment, and I commend Mr. O ‘Ríordáin for showing both. The evidence internationally is overwhelming that drug use is best dealt with as a health, not a criminal justice issue, and that taking punitive approaches deliver poor value to taxpayers in terms of outcomes achieved. Approaches like supervised injecting facilities have a significant evidence base pointing to their efficacy, and it’s amazing to see Ireland being proactive in considering approaches like this that can make a real difference. It’s something that the international community is following closely.”

Dr Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance in New York, has also spoken supportively of developments in Ireland:

“The failures of prohibition are painfully obvious but the political courage to advocate for proven alternatives remains all too rare. That’s why the brave leadership by Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is of international significance. Ireland should be proud.”

Speaking recently in Dublin, Richard Branson was also positive about the Minister’s broader plans in relation to decriminalisation of possession offences. Mr. Branson sits on the Global Commission on Drug Policy, an international think tank which aims to bring to the international level an informed, sciencebased discussion about humane and effective ways to reduce the harm caused by drugs to people and societies. The Commission comprises senior international figures and includes nine ex-presidents, in addition to former UN chief Kofi Annan, ex-EU High Representative Javier Solana and George Schulz, former US Secretary of State. In addition to supporting the implementation of decriminalisation policies, the Commission also favours the use of supervised injecting facilities, noting that:

“Many interventions that successfully reduce the harms associated with drug use are strongly supported by scientific evidence. These include needle exchange and syringe programs, opioid substitution treatment, supervised drug consumption facilities, and overdose prevention and reversal (including the provision of naloxone). These measures are highly cost-effective and, where adequately resourced, contribute to significant public health improvements. However, there are considerable political obstacles to the provision of harm reduction. Many elected officials and their constituents are reluctant to accept the impossibility of eradicating drugs. They often feel that support to harm reduction somehow condones the use of drugs. As a result, funding is often several orders of magnitude less than that allocated for law enforcement. The Global Commission reiterates its calls for the scaling-up of harm reduction services to meet demand – in accordance with the joint guidance provided by WHO, UNAIDS and UNODC – and that legislative and political obstacles to such provision be lifted wherever they remain.”

Since 2012 the Ana Liffey Drug Project has been lobbying for the introduction of Medically Supervised Injecting Centres where they are needed in Ireland, and will be represented at the event in London. Tony Duffin, Director noted that:

“We very much look forward to the LSE’s policy workshop and to discussing these important issues with our international colleagues. We greatly welcome the interest members of the international drug policy community have taken in the introduction of Medically Supervised Injecting Centres in Ireland, and hope that their interest encourages Ireland to continue on the path Minister O ‘Ríordáin is leading us on. I am also aware that a General Election must take place by 8th April 2016. In this regard, I call on all parties and independents to prioritise addressing Ireland’s drug problems by committing to implementing empathic, evidenced and effective drug policies like Medically Supervised Injecting Centres.”

END

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Editor’s Notes:
Ana Liffey Drug Project is, a national addiction service working to reduce the harm caused by drug use in Ireland. Ana Liffey provided direct services to over 2,914 clients in 2014, many of whom are among the most marginalised from mainstream service provision. To find out more about the Ana Liffey’s services visit www.aldp.ie/services.

The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university located in London, England which specialises in social sciences. LSE was recently ranked second in the world for social sciences for the third year in a row, according to the latest global university league table.

Harm Reduction International is a leading non-governmental organisation working to reduce the negative health, social and human rights impacts of drug use and drug policy by promoting evidence-based public health policies and practices, and human rights based approaches to drugs.

For further information and/or interviews contact:
Tony Duffin
Director
Ana Liffey Drug Project
48 Middle Abbey St
Dublin 1
01 960 3000 (direct line)
tony.duffin@aldp.ie
0873283666
www.aldp.ie
Facebook: facebook.com/AnaLiffey
Twitter: twitter.com/AnaLiffey

Dr. John Collins,
Coordinator LSE IDEAS International Drug Policy Project,
The London School of Economics (LSE)
Tel. 00447848836124
j.collins@lse.ac.uk
Twitter: @John_Collins1.
Please note that LSE has a media studio capable of plugging into any media outlet for live interviews.

Dr Rick Lines
Executive Director
Harm Reduction International
Unit 2C09, South Bank Technopark
90 London Road
London
SE1 6LN
Phone 00442077171592
Mobile 00447872600907