Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin remains the only political party on this island that has produced a comprehensive policy on the rights of people in recovery. The Government has no strategic vision for those in recovery from addiction. There are countries right across Europe that have credible policies that recognise the human rights to which those who are in recovery are entitled. There is an opportunity to learn from our European neighbours, but instead we truck on and watch the community addiction sector be decimated by funding cuts, loss of autonomy and downright disrespect on the part of the Government. Many of our European neighbours have implemented the Communities That Care model. We could learn from that. We could learn how to strengthen our community addiction sector and recognise that those who are on the ground are the experts. Instead of ignoring the community and the addiction sector, let us learn from our European neighbours and many of the forward-thinking ideas they have. Let us give communities autonomy and the tools and the support to tackle addiction and to resource recovery. I believe that this issue has cross-party support and that we should work together and look at Europe and across the world to see what we can do to come together to support those in recovery and those who work with people in addiction.

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