NI Drug Reform

Campaigning to end the harm caused by the criminalisation of substance use.

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Christopher Stalford, his young children, his wife Laura, as well as his party colleagues and constituents. He will be sadly missed by so many x

[Gary Flannery @garyflannery]

Fit, healthy, 38, double vaccinated. Now in hospital. Those not Vaccinated or thinking this is all a scam, need to give their heads a wobble. Stay safe this Christmas folks.

Not everyone gets sick, but some get very sick and some die.

[Magdalena Harris @pwidpride]

Where is the drug policy dating app??! My enthusiastic rants about crack pipe provision grant applications & improving inpatient care for people who inject drugs are great for weeding out the faint of heart, but, um ...

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

We spoke to a client this morning who is being summoned to court on charges of possession of cannabis.

Please tell us how this is an effective use of policing and justice? A potential criminal record for what?

[Cranstoun @Cranstoun_org]

Stop stigmatising methadone; support drug consumption rooms; prescribe benzos to those at greatest risk; open exemplary abstinence-based programmes. Our very own @PeteKrykant_OPC responds to news of drug deaths in Scotland showing signs of slowing down. https://t.co/q7V4TVQf6q

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

@themrmatthew Prohibition of substances never ever works.

[Julian Buchanan, PhD @julianbuchanan]

New Zealand recently rolled out world leading drug reform to legalise Drug Checking - that will largely help the white & middle class

Today NZ have rolled out world leading Prohibition to eventually outlaw tobacco - the poor, indigenous & BAME communities will be punished

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

It’s anecdotal but from experience the vast majority of service users in homelessness and addictions services in Belfast are from North and West Belfast. It’s not a coincidence.

[Sarah Creighton 🍂 @Saraita101]

Two maps

Where InvestNI spends its money v the most deprived areas of Belfast.

"This is not an accident."

#takebackthecity

[Sarah Creighton 🍂 @Saraita101]

Two maps

Where InvestNI spends its money v the most deprived areas of Belfast.

"This is not an accident."

#takebackthecity

[Rach @raerhi]

I said before but I had the cops called on me, my partner, my brother (on his birthday), his paramedic girlfriend (who had been in our bubble since the previous March) for playing cards against humanity and drinking cans? Hope everyone with a fine gets it back (luckily we didn't)

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

They’re laughing at us. Whilst service users were unable to access support services during lockdown, and experienced withdrawals, relapses. Whilst hostel and outreach staff found service users dead. Whilst families grieved.

Laughing at us.

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

Do you remember when you joined Twitter? I do! #MyTwitterAnniversary

[Megan Jones (She/Her) @MegJ4289]

A thread:
Eagerly awaiting the new Govt drugs strategy on Monday
A focus on diversion is welcome by us @Cranstoun_org

We are at the forefront of developing and delivering diversion rooted in education and harm reduction.

https://t.co/X4hQFMjHkA

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

@chrismrintoul All this will do is increase the number of overdose deaths in prisons along with severe psychological reactions due to rapid withdrawal. It’s disgusting.

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

Methadone is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. It is a lifesaving drug that is used in the management of opiate dependence because it is legal, free, and prescribed. If they replace it with abstinence then people will die. It’s that simple.

[Charles Hymas @charleshymas]

Methadone is set to be replaced by “abstinence” drug rehab programmes in prisons under plans by Dominic Raab to tackle addiction among convicts. https://t.co/m6FB6XMujp

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

We take issue with the Chair of the Police Federation NI referring to PSNI officers saving the lives of opiate users as “lifting the slack”.

They may be substance users, but they are still human beings. The dehumanisation of people who use substances needs to stop.

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

Naloxone is a perfectly harmless drug (you cannot administer it dangerously unless you intentionally do damage with the needle) and can save a life. The remarks from the Police Federation ‘s chair are ignorant nonsense.

[NI Drug Reform @NIDrugReform]

Nobody is asking the PSNI to act as paramedics - but they are trained to administer basic first aid and CPR. Funny how this is now a concern when it applies to opiate users, you don’t hear them complaining to the Coast Guard when they save someone from drowning.

[BBC Newsline @bbcnewsline]

The PSNI has become the latest UK police service to allow officers to administer the drug Naloxone if they spot someone whose life is in danger while out on patrol. But the organisation which represents officers says they should not be acting as paramedics. Here's Julian O'Neill: