1 / 18

Progress towards Supervised Injecting Facilities in Ireland

Progress towards Supervised Injecting Facilities in Ireland. Marcus Keane, Ana Liffey Drug Project Glasgow, 31 st August 2016. Ana Liffey Drug Project Public injecting in Dublin Developing SIFs as a policy response The story so far Next steps. Ana Liffey Drug Project.

calkinsl
Download Presentation

Progress towards Supervised Injecting Facilities in Ireland

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Progress towards Supervised Injecting Facilities in Ireland Marcus Keane, Ana Liffey Drug Project Glasgow, 31st August 2016

  2. Ana Liffey Drug Project • Public injecting in Dublin • Developing SIFs as a policy response • The story so far • Next steps

  3. Ana Liffey Drug Project

  4. Ana Liffey Drug Project • Founded 1982, incorporated in 1985 • Low threshold, harm reduction ethos • Direct services in Dublin, Midlands and Midwest • Online and Digital Services Nationally • 2006 – 9 staff, < 800k revenue • 2016 – 35 staff, > 2m revenue

  5. Who we work with • Mid 20’s – mid 30’s • Drug use • Polydrug use • Dangerous injecting practices • Complex needs • Comorbid health issues • Family supports • Bereavement • Sex work • Isolation – social and geographic • Suicide • Homelessness

  6. We neither promote nor denounce substance use but seek to respond to problems associated with it • We believe in rights and responsibilities • We’re pragmatic • We aim to make a positive contribution to society In practice, we try to be: • Non-judgmental • Person centred • Solution focused • Innovative Example – Assertive Case Management Team

  7. Public Injecting In Dublin

  8. Public Injecting in Dublin

  9. Public Injecting in Dublin • About 50% ALDP client group IDUs • Polydrug use is the norm • Over 400 people mostly injecting in public in Dublin City Centre • Wide range of public and private harms • A concern for everyone

  10. Developing SIFs as a Policy ResponseThe Story so Far…

  11. Timeline November 2011 SIF explicitly set out in ALDP Strategic Plan 2012-2014 October 2013 Legal opinion sought on issues related to SIF delivery in Ireland June 2014 Voluntary Assistance Scheme of the Bar of Ireland sets up legislative drafting committee May 2015 Committee deliver draft legislation to ALDP; ALDP passes to Minister O’Ríordáin December 2015 Cabinet decision to legislate for SIF

  12. The legal issues Principles • Develop framework within which SIF could legally operate, changing only what is strictly necessary Amendments • S 3, Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 • S 19, Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 Other issues • S 21, Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 • S 15, Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 • S 3, CJ (Psych Substances) Act, 2010 • S 4, NFOATP Act, 1997

  13. The Draft Bill….. • Allows for Minister to issues licences, and for statutory preconditions to the issuing of a licence • Protects operators from actions in negligence • Allows for Minister to make relevant regulations • Amends S3 and S19

  14. The Current State of Play • Legislating for SIF is in current programme for government • Draft legislation with Office of the AG • Expect introduction to parliament in late 2016 • If passed, focus then turns to implementation

  15. Developing SIFs as a Policy ResponseNext steps

  16. Where to next? • Lobby to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose • Move to the operational • Who will operate SIFs? • Where will they be located? • How will they be funded? • How will they be evaluated? • Engaging with stakeholders

  17. What have we learnt? Know what you’re talking about Speak to the self-interest of the your stakeholders Find common ground with your detractors Engage with the media and promote your goal at every opportunity You need the support of many, many others

  18. Marcus KeaneAna Liffey Drug Projectmarcus.keane@aldp.ie +353 87 2227922www.aldp.iewww.drugs.ie

More Related