On Thursday 17 October, Professor Catherine Comiskey, Dr Peter Kelly and Barry McBrien (ANP) presented to the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use on the subject of drugs policy, treatment and health services.

The recent report from the Citizens Assembly on Drugs called for the introduction of a comprehensive health-led approach to possession of drugs for personal use. 

Prof Comiskey, Dr Kelly and Mr McBrien addressed good practice in existing health services for drugs, highlighted current research into addiction and treatment, and spoke about where services and policy could be improved to better support both people who are seeking treatment for drugs use, and the health workers providing treatment and care. 

They also spoke about stigma, the lack of independent inspection for the health services provided to drugs users, the need to implement a strategic workforce development strategy and how nurse prescribers can legally prescribe opiates for a range of conditions for someone dependent on opiates, but not for opiate dependence itself.  

Prof Comiskey, Professor in Healthcare Statistics, said in her opening statement:

“It is time now to be progressive. Enable evidence informed policy in nurse led prescribing. Our research has shown people want it and it works. Tackle decriminalisation. I'm not telling you to decriminalise, but I'm telling you to tackle it. Reduce community and personal stigma because communities are also stigmatised as well as people and expand opportunities for addiction research and education.”