The My Uisce series 'Health Not Handcuffs' was created for Support Don’t Punish 2025. We spoke with people who use drugs, family members, community workers, professionals, and legislators about the real impact of criminalisation — and the stories that often go unheard. During this series we’ll share stories each day, highlighting lived experience, frontline insight, and the human realities behind Ireland’s drug laws.

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 channelled for full interviews. [December 2025, 5 minutes]

Health Not Handcuffs: Lynn Ruane - Lynn Ruane is an Independent Senator in Seanad Éireann and a long-time advocate for harm reduction, social justice, and evidence-based drug policy. In this video, created as part of UISCE’s Health Not Handcuffs project, Lynn shares her perspective on the impact of criminalisation in Ireland and why compassionate, health-led responses are needed to support individuals, families, and communities. [December 2025, 3.26 minutes]

Health Not Handcuffs: Ann Marie - Ann Marie, a Peer Support Worker at UISCE, speaks about being stigmatised as a mother who uses drugs, the failings of support systems, and the lasting impact this can have on children. [December 2025, 4.14 minutes]

Health Not Handcuffs: Support Don't Punish 2025 Extended Version [August 2025, 12 minutes]