Irish College of GPs attends Joint Committee on Drug Use today (Thursday, 19 September).
Adequately resourced general practice is well placed to offer timely equitable access to high quality addiction management, helping reduce harm and support recovery.
Irish College of GPs supports legislative changes that reduce the stigma attached to illicit drug use by comprehensively supporting people suffering from and impacted by addiction.
The Irish College of GPs is the professional body for general practice in Ireland, with over 4,400 GP members. It is dedicated to general practice education, training, research and advocacy on behalf of the profession and patients.
GPs see many patients who are impacted by addiction, and the Irish College of GPs welcomed this opportunity to address the Joint Committee on Drug Use, which was established to consider the recommendations in the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use and make a reasoned response to each recommendation.
The College is represented by
- Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, Medical Director,
- Dr Bernard Kenny, Director, Addiction Management, Primary Care
- Professor Des Crowley, Academic Lead, Addiction Management, Primary Care
In its submission, the College stated:
“The Irish College of GPs recognises addiction as a complex, chronic, relapsing disease involving a common pathway with both physiological and psychological components. Drug use and addiction adversely impacts individuals, families and communities and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
There is a close causal relationship between addiction, social deprivation and childhood trauma.”
The College supports the overarching recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly report, pivoting from a narrow legalisation/decriminalisation criminal justice approach to a comprehensive multi-faced bio-psycho-social approach, addressing supply reduction, addiction prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services, underpinned by enhanced resources with relentless prioritisation of disadvantaged communities.
ENDS
Issued by: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of GPs.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830.
Email: media@icgp.ie
Download College Submission