40 Years in the Frontlines of Harm Reduction in Ireland – Drug Reporter Interview Tony Duffin.

Ana Liffey Drug Project is a leading harm reduction NGO in Ireland who recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the organisation; to commemorate the occasion Peter Sárosi interviewed its CEO and C-EHRN Steerring Committee member, Tony Duffin, about recent developments in harm reduction and drug policy reform in the country.

In our day-to-day work, as a harm reduction service we listen to the people who use our services. We listen for drug use trends; we talk to peers and partner agencies.

Tony has worked in the Design, Delivery and Provision of ‘Low Threshold – Harm  Reduction’ Health Services for a range of socially excluded and marginalised groups of people since 1993. He has held the position of CEO of Ana Liffey Drug Project since November 2005; Ana Liffey is Irelands first drug service established on the principles of Harm Reduction. Prior to this, Duffin worked in the addiction field, including playing a key role in opening Ireland’s first emergency accommodation for young people who inject drugs; and Ireland’s first wet residential service for entrenched street drinkers. In recent years, Duffin has made a crucial contribution in advocating for the ‘Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Act 2017, which was signed into law on 16th May 2017.