Health not handcuffs: support don't punish 2025

Every year, thousands of people in Ireland are criminalised simply for using drugs. But punishment doesn’t solve the problem — it deepens it. Criminalisation causes real harm: it fuels stigma, fractures families, blocks access to housing and work, and stops people from seeking the help they need.

For Support Don't Punish 2025, UISCE spoke to people who use drugs, family members, community workers and legislators about the impact of criminalisation and why there is a more effective way to support people who use drugs, families and our communities This video is a snapshot of those conversations, please follow UISCE social media channels for full interviews.

Full version of the video (12.11 minutes)

Short version of the video (3.36 minutes)