Debate contribution: Addiction and Drug-related Deaths

Debate contribution by Mr Mark Durkan on 23 April 2024.

MLA

Mr Mark Durkan

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

23 April 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Addiction and Drug-related Deaths

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4485243

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank the Member for his intervention. I concur entirely that compassion is key to healing and helping those who are fighting addiction. Many of us see and feel the impacts of addiction much closer to home, and the escalation in numbers of affected people and severity of illness has been heartbreaking to bear witness to — there but for the grace of God go I. At the moment, far too many vulnerable people fall through the gaps between addiction support services. We are witnessing a frightening trajectory in the number of drug-related deaths, with 212 people having lost their life in the past year. Behind every statistic, as others have said, is a life cut short, dreams shattered and a family devastated. Each death is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. It is no coincidence that drug-related deaths have trebled in a decade. It is a direct result of Tory austerity and failed leadership. The failures of government exact the highest cost: the loss of life. Our post-pandemic landscape and the cost-of-living crisis have rubbed salt into the wounds, compounding pressures on broken lives. The motion neglects to mention — other Members, including the proposer of the motion, have mentioned it — the co-occurrence of addiction and mental health conditions and the need for a dual diagnosis approach. Both conditions remain a harrowing feature in the lives of so many here. That cycle can prove difficult to escape, especially for those who suffer socio-economic disadvantage. Those who are brave enough to seek support often find themselves forced to be led from pillar to post in their efforts to find meaningful and appropriate services and support. From housing to health services, it seems to have become, at times, a case of "pass the problem". That is about failing to see the son, the daughter, the parent, the brother or the sister struggling to stay afloat in a world that has become so unbearable. That is not to criticise staff of any of the organisations. They, too, are working in a challenging environment, unequipped to deal with the complexities and volume of people who present. I am acutely aware that addiction is a complex issue. A range of factors leads people down that cruel path. Once on it, many individuals are pushed even further to the margins of society by a system that is stacked against them. The increased risk of homelessness and the situation around temporary accommodation that I mentioned really need to be addressed. At present, very vulnerable people are placed outside their home towns, away from family, friends and access to their GP. That marked isolation leaves people at risk of abuse, neglect and further exploitation by drug dealers — death dealers — who peddle misery with no care about consequences and little fear of punishment. We need tougher sentences for those dealers. I commend my constituent Pauline Duddy, who has channelled her grief at the loss of her lovely daughter Jasmin into a courageous campaign for tougher sentencing. Collaborative work involving Departments, the police, the public and local organisations is the only way to achieve tangible results for people who are suffering. I place on record my gratitude for the invaluable work of organisations across the North but particularly in my constituency, including ARC Fitness, Northlands and Hurt, which are shining examples of the approach that we need to tackle the crisis head-on. First and foremost, it is about treating people with compassion. While we welcome plans for a new, regionally significant rehabilitation unit, it is imperative that the Executive and the British Government deliver on their commitments to provide adequate addiction funding and facilities for the north-west in order to prevent further loss of life and more lost lives. More broken promises are the last thing that people need.

636 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:03 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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