Dr Jo-Hanna Ivers speaks at the United Nations on Irish Citizen’s Assembly on Drug Use

Posted on: 13 March 2025

Dr. Jo-Hanna Ivers has travelled with a delegation from the Department of Health to New York to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

The CND is the policy-making body of the UN’s system with prime responsibility for drug-related matters.

Dr. Jo-Hanna Ivers at the United Nations HQ

Dr. Ivers spoke at an event at the United Nations today, as one of a three-person panel to discuss ‘Models of Deliberative Democracy to inform Drugs Policy’. She will be joined by representatives from Cyprus and Colombia.

In March 2023, Dr. Ivers was appointed a member of the Advisory Support to the Citizen’s Assembly.

The CND event provided insights into the experience of addressing complex issues and proposing drugs policy responses at the national level and Dr. Ivers will provide information on the background to the Irish Citizen’s Assembly on Drug Use.  An overview of the selection process of the members of the Assembly, the structure of the exercise, insights into deliberations, formation of the Assembly’s 36 recommendations, and next steps will be delivered.

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Associate Professor in Addiction, and the first Associate Dean of Civic Engagement and Social Innovation at Trinity College, said:

“ The Citizen’s Assembly on Drug Use represents a bold step forward for Ireland, placing evidence, lived experience, and public deliberation at the heart of policy reform. As a researcher at Trinity College Dublin I have dedicated my work to understanding addiction and recovery, and speaking at the United Nations Commission on Narcotics Drugs is a testament to Ireland’s leadership in shaping compassionate, effective drug policy.

This is more than a policy discussion: it is about dignity, inclusion, and a balanced approach to drug policy that prioritises harm reduction, prevention, and recovery. Ireland has shown that when we trust the public with complex issues, they rise to the challenge. Now we bring this conversation to the world stage.”

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