Within this Report, we reflect on our progress towards delivering our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, All Different, All Together. We are guided by this Strategic Plan in achieving our vision of a society where LGBTQ+ young people are equal, safe and thriving. The report documents the wide range of services, programmes and projects offered by the organisation from frontline youth services, research reports and communication campaigns to training, fundraising and specialised programmes in schools. The breadth and depth of this work is quite extraordinary.

P.13 Goal 1 Delivering LGBTQ+ Youth Work - 1.4 Reduce the harms of alcohol and drug use amongst LGBTQ+ young people. LGBTQ+ youth will have access to specialist supports within Belong To, to reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drug use amongst LGBTQ+ youth.

P.17 Drug and Alcohol Support Service Research shows that substance use problems are significant in the LGBTQ+ community. These impact young people in real and negative ways. The LGBTIreland Report examined health and well-being indicators for the LGBTQ+ population in Ireland.2 The research found that 56% of LGBTQ+ people living in Ireland had taken drugs at some point in their life, compared to 27% of the general Irish population. Among LGBTQ+ young people, 30% of those aged 14-18 and 63% of 19–25-year-olds had used drugs at some point in their lives. This is significantly higher than 14-25-year-olds in the general Irish youth population, only 27% of whom had ever consumed drugs.

P.18 Belong To’s LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown: One Year Later report also explored barriers faced by LGBTQ+ young people who wanted to access support related to their drug use.3 Negative past experiences with healthcare workers and service providers, often related to their LGBTQ+ identity, made LGBTQ+ youth nervous and reluctant to seek support. The stigma associated with addiction and drug use was also named as a personal barrier in accessing support. Belong To has a dedicated drug and alcohol support service that is funded by the North Inner City Drug Taskforce. This service aims to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ drug and alcohol users, minimise drug taking amongst LGBTQ+ young people and build capacity amongst specific drug-related services and youth workers so that they are sensitive to their needs. Belong To approaches this work in a way that does not demonise an already marginalised and vulnerable section of the community, all within the North Inner City.

We follow a harm reduction approach, focusing on reducing the risk associated with drug and alcohol use. We are nonjudgmental and take a person-centred approach when working with LGBTQ+ young people around their drug and alcohol use. In addition to direct support, we also offer educational resources and information aimed at increasing awareness of drug and alcohol issues within the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, we actively collaborate with specialised agencies and services to ensure individuals receive comprehensive and positive assistance. At the beginning of 2023, Belong To employed a Drug and Alcohol Senior Youth Worker who is responsible for rolling out a Drug and Alcohol Plan. This youth worker is responsible for providing direct support to LGBTQ+ young people with their drug and alcohol use. The Drug and Alcohol Senior Youth Worker also facilitates drug and alcohol awareness workshops within Belong To’s peer support groups. This included a harm reduction campaign launched on social media during Dublin Pride 2023. This campaign, ‘Protect Yourself at Pride’, aimed to reduce the risk associated with drug and alcohol use. In 2023, we continued to contribute to the HSE Chemsex Working Group, the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, the Gay Men’s Health Network, the Midlands Regional Drug Taskforce, and the National Voluntary Drugs and Alcohol Sector volunteer cluster.

P.36 Drugs and Alcohol In 2023, Belong To recruited a Drug and Alcohol Senior Youth Worker to support our frontline services and development of training in this area. Training and capacity building in the drug and alcohol sector is a priority for Belong To. This year, we submitted plans and funding proposals to build on the existing organisational training delivery model and create a whole sectoral approach to supporting LGBTQ+ young people across all aspects of service provision. By creating LGBTQ+ inclusive and safe spaces and services, it is hoped that more LGBTQ+ young people will access the services and maintain engagement.