Ireland's Drug Policy: Tony Duffin on Supervised Injection Facilities and Decriminalization
The low hanging fruit here is the idea of decriminalisation of drugs, whereby it is within the gift of the Irish government to decide how we respond to the possession of drugs for personal use.
Ever wondered why Ireland needs supervised injection facilities? In this episode of 'What's the Crack', Elle Wadsworth sits down with Tony Duffin, the CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, to uncover the answers. They dive into Ana Liffey's successful push for these facilities and discuss their broader mission to decriminalize drug use in Ireland. But what exactly are supervised injection facilities, and why are they so crucial?
Tony breaks it down, explaining how these spaces can alleviate the strain on emergency services and provide a safer environment for those who inject drugs. The conversation also touches on the backlash against these facilities and why decriminalization, rather than outright legalization, is the goal. Tony's insights shed light on the importance of destigmatizing drug use and fostering a more compassionate approach to addiction.
With a blend of expertise and empathy, this episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of drug policy in Ireland. Tune in to learn more about Ana Liffey's groundbreaking work and their new campaign, #SaferFromHarm.