Chair Update

Hi all,
I cannot believe it has been another year, again without any activity from the NNEF!

Granted, we have all been really busy, but that’s no excuse! I am partly to blame and I apologise, again, for the silence. I will be stepping down as Chair at our next AGM, feeling embarrassed that I have not done much, if anything, for the last couple of years. I will hopefully remain on the board and help as much as possible, and throw my dummy out of the pram once in a while of course. It is time for some fresh, invigorated blood to take over.

More and more talks around Drug Consumption Rooms/Overdose Prevention Centres are taking place nationally, with some local authorities pushing forward more than others. Dublin and Glasgow should go live imminently. Hopefully more Diamorphine Assisted Treatment programmes will start up too. I strongly believe we need those services urgently, alongside rapid OST prescribing, if we are to alleviate those truly appalling and, unacceptable Drug Related Deaths. I am also glad there has been a shift for more Harm Reduction interventions, which are so badly needed. It does feel like déjà vu if you ask me. Same old record gong round and round. We know what is needed.

Talking of Drug Related Deaths, I cannot believe they are still rising. We have, again, one the highest rate in Europe. Clearly, our existing policies and strategies do not work and need updating, or just thrown in the bin once and for all, as they are definitely not fit for purpose. Such sad statistics are a blatant proof of this. I also feel enraged when I hear talks of “we need to be ready for those new opioids”, when talking about nitazenes. Nitazenes are already here, but, thankfully, not killing too many people…for now. But what does that actually mean, getting ready? Didn’t we “ready” ourselves, when DRDs started to rise, around 10 years ago? Clearly not. So what will be different this time? Just commissioning more services to “throw” naloxone at people won’t be enough. We have never distributed so many kits, yet DRDs are still rising. Truly unacceptable. Pass me the bin please.

It is worth mentioning that a recent Pharmacy mystery shopper exercise highlighted some issues. I was refused equipment as I didn’t have any returns, or just offered 5 syringes only. Can you believe this is still happening in 2024? Shocking. And we want to eliminate Hep C? How are we going to achieve this if people struggle to get sterile syringes? Clearly more needs to be done. Pharmacies need to be paid a decent amount if they are to start or continue offering NSP.

On a more positive note, we are working hard to make it possible for a conference, hopefully in the Spring of 2025. We would love to see you in person, it’s been ages!

In the meantime, we are all wishing you a wonderful festive season and a happy 2025!

Philippe Bonnet