On 23rd March 2011, BYAP marked its 30th anniversary by hosting a national conference on drugs in Dublin Castle. ‘Seen But Not Heard? - 30 Years of Communities Responding to Drugs’ explored how communities throughout Ireland have responded to addiction over the past 30 years and looked at current and future challenges.

The conference was addressed by a number of practitioners in the areas of community activism, social work and the media. In addition, a keynote address was delivered by John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison.

The conference focused on the concept that those working in local communities – at the coalface of problems associated with drug misuse – have a visible presence. But, despite this visibility, their voices are seldom heard in the policy and political decision-making arenas, particularly within the partnership approach to addressing drugs-related issues. This report documents the proceedings at the conference and the inputs made by attendees on the day.