UISCE (Union for Improved Services, Communication and Education) is excited that for the first time the voice of people who use drugs in Ireland has been captured and included in the development of the National Drug Strategy.

We are looking forward to continuing to share what’s important to us as members of the National Drug Strategy Committee for the next 8 years – membership here is also a first.

There are many new innovative actions that we are looking forward to being part of developing, including a Safe Injecting Facility, a recommendation on decriminalisation and recognition that addiction is a condition that requires compassion, understanding and seeing people as human beings.

Hannah Rodrigues, UISCE’s Coordinator says “For the first time, people who use drugs have been part of the development of the strategy and for the next 8 years we will be working to make sure that the actions are implemented.

UISCE’s peer led outreach team was supported by the community of people who use drugs to complete nearly 50 surveys as part of the public consultation. Our priorities and recommendations stemmed from this report (attached).

For the next 8 years, the health based approach needs to be embraced by every agency and service that supports the community of people who use drugs. We need to remember that we are all people who have goals and dreams and values of the strategy reflect this.”

We thank Minister Catherine Byrne’s foresight for including this community and for her understanding of the issues and belief in a health-led and person-centred approach to supporting people who use drugs in Ireland.