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Niamh Eastwood

@niamhrelease.bsky.social
832 followers 270 following 35 posts

Drug policy reform, radical harm reduction (it’s a movement not an intervention) ❤️ 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸

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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Excellent analysis from Dejusticia of last week’s extraordinary meeting of Commission on Narcotic Drugs! With the USA objecting to language around ‘gender’ & ‘biodiversity’, the consensus is now broken, & there maybe opportunity to review the drug treaties! www.talkingdrugs.org/a-historic-v...
talkingdrugs.org
A Historic Vote at the CND: Colombia Challenges the Global Drug Control System - TalkingDrugs
At CND, Colombia made waves by pushing for a resolution to review the international drug control system, a first in its history.
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Museum of Homelessness @ourmoh.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Please follow and support @crips-against-cuts.bsky.social National day of action THIS SATURDAY 22 March
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Starmer in Times today ‘The rising benefits bill is “devastating for public finances” & has “wreaked a terrible human cost’. Maybe address lack of progressive tax instead. Failing to tax the wealthy drives extreme inequality which ACTUALLY creates a terrible human cost & wrecks public finances
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Really angry about this! PIP literally helps people with disabilities live their lives including being able to work. The way this is being framed is disingenuous there is nothing ‘moral’ about this plan! www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Keir Starmer to unveil drastic disability benefit cuts despite opposition
Changes could deny benefits to people who need help to wash or to remember to go to the toilet
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Tax the rich! www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Starmer decries ‘worst of all worlds’ benefits system ahead of deep cuts
PM expected to announce billions in savings from personal independence payment, the main disability benefit
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Excellent piece on Spain’s drug decriminalisation model & the expansion of harm reduction from our colleagues at the fabulous Metzineres www.talkingdrugs.org/spains-decri...
talkingdrugs.org
Spain’s Decriminalisation: Decades of Quiet Innovation - TalkingDrugs
Spain's drug decriminalisation system has been slowly improving over the decades, supporting people who use drugs across the nation.
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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 04/03/2025
🚨 IMPORTANT — The US government's reckless cuts to foreign aid threaten #HarmReduction globally. @inpud.bsky.social collects data to present before the intn'l community at #CND68. Fill the survey to relay impact on your activities & share with relevant networks!
idpc.net
Documenting the early impact of the US foreign aid directives on harm reduction programming
Aid cuts disrupt harm reduction services and imperil lives — share your experience to bring the evidence to the upcoming UN CND.
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Just gave evidence to UN Cttee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights on the UK’s crisis of drug related deaths. Read our submission to the Cttee submitted jointly with our friends @harmreductionintl.bsky.social @idpc.bsky.social & the drug user led group RATS. www.release.org.uk/publications...
release.org.uk
Submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Our joint submission with Harm Reduction International (HRI), the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) and Radical Acts to Survive (RATS) addresses the critical issue of drug-related deaths in ...
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Read @releasedrugs.bsky.social joint submission with @inquest-org.bsky.social & @robralphs.bsky.social on drugs in prison. Really proud of this piece, calls for decriminalisation, decarceration, harm reduction & transformative justice. www.release.org.uk/publications...
release.org.uk
INQUEST, DPSC and Release submission to the Justice Committee’s inquiry on Drugs in Prison
Our joint submission with INQUEST and DPSC to the Justice Committee’s inquiry on drugs in prison presents a comprehensive analysis of drug-related harms and deaths within the prison system in England ...
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
The @ukhomeoffice.bsky.social letter to ACMD asking if Ketamine should be reclassified to Class A ‘use in…people, aged 16-24 years, has increased by 231% since March 2013”. Ket was made a Class B drug in 2014. I don’t understand how they don’t see it! 🤦‍♀️ www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Updated harms assessment of ketamine: commissioning letter
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Transform Drug Policy Foundation @transformdrugs.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
UK to open its first safe drug consumption room amid soaring deaths Welcome news, tho political cowardice has caused yrs of delays, costing 100s of lives As @niamhrelease.bsky.social notes, it's "shameful these facilities are not being opened across the UK” www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
theguardian.com
UK to open its first safe drug consumption room amid soaring deaths
The Thistle in Glasgow aims to save lives by providing a supervised environment in ‘Europe’s drug deaths capital’
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Prof Harry Sumnall @profhrs.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
@shantidas.bsky.social Observer report on ASA’s ruling this week about the misleading practices of some private drug treatment brokers, including a short quote from myself www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
theguardian.com
‘Free and impartial’ addiction helplines paid secret commission by rehabs
Advertising regulator reprimands services that claim to offer unbiased advice but then direct people to partner facilities
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
Coverage of Glasgow’s drug consumption room due to open next month (hopefully!). Comment from me highlighting the need for these facilities across the UK to address the crisis of drug related deaths. (Would tag others but function doesn’t seem to work!). www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
theguardian.com
UK to open its first safe drug consumption room amid soaring deaths
The Thistle in Glasgow aims to save lives by providing a supervised environment in ‘Europe’s drug deaths capital’
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Brilliant news BC Government repeals public drug use bill which would have recriminalised people who use drugs who don’t have private spaces to consume! Congrats to our friends & colleagues at Pivot Legal & CDPC & others 💪 drugpolicy.ca/for-immediat...
drugpolicy.ca
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Province repeals public use law previously blocked by B.C. Supreme Court for irreparable harm   - Canadian Drug Policy Coalition
Joint Statement from the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition and Pivot Legal Society  ​​xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh & səlilwətaɬ lands Vancouver, BC |​ December 20, 20...
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
We are delighted to be hosting the London Joint Working Group on Substance Use & Hep C’s meeting to share the findings of the fabulous @pwud-pride.bsky.social research on safer inhalation pipes
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Unsurprising nonsense from DM, demonstrating a total lack of understanding about fundamental human rights. People who use drugs, like all ppl, are entitled to basic rights. The Scottish Govt recognises realising ppls rights can improve health & social needs. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
dailymail.co.uk
Outcry as SNP unveils soft-touch 'Charter of Rights' for drug users
The SNP was yesterday accused of 'doubling down' on its 'soft-touch approach' to drugs after a new 'Charter of Rights' for users was announced.
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Such a rich & thoughtful discussions today at the launch of the Charter of Rights for People affected Substance Use. Enjoyed discussing decriminalisation, social & economic rights & broader human rights as part of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights panel
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Really honoured to be part of the organising committee for this year’s Int Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) in Manchester. Hosted by Manchester Met (who madly made me a visiting professor ☺️). Call for abstracts opened www.issdp.org
issdp.org
ISSDP
The International Society for the Study of Drug Policy
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
At launch of Charter of Rights for People affected by substance use. First Minister discusses need for ppl who use drugs to be listened to, for their rights to be respected & to be treated with dignity. @releasedrugs.bsky.social @globalcdp.bsky.social @idpc.bsky.social @harmreductionintl.bsky.social
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Michael Kessler @mickessler.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... New report from the Global Commission on Drug Policy reinforcing pùblic health, decrim and regulation in place of the failed & futile War on Drugs response. @niamhrelease.bsky.social @idpc.bsky.social @kirstensdf.bsky.social
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Excellent thread on the CSJ report
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Excellent insights from Zaved Mahmood from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights highlighting how drug policies must be grounded in human rights, emphasises the role of the Guidelines on HR & DP @unaids.bsky.social @undp.bsky.social @who.int
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Gillian Shorter PhD @gwshorter.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
A terrifyjng talk from Lauren Porter on the consequences of closing needle exchange in Budapest (funding gone, hcv/hiv testing down and cases up, public opinion change, drug pattern change, health declines, increase in criminal sanctions in severity/#, increased marginalization)- horrific #EHRC2024
Types of drug policy frameworks slide with Lauren Porter in front of the screen. Lauren is a white female researcher from USA who worked in Hungary at the time A opening screen of a talk called Hungary's anti - drug strategy a public health evaluation This graph xeax
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Release: Drugs, The Law & Your Rights @releasedrugs.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Mainline has been supporting and fighting for the rights of people who use drugs in the Netherlands for decades. Their public funding is now at risk - meaning their org would disappear. We're helping them fight to keep their funding - here's how you can too 👇 mainline.nl/en/rescue-ma...
mainline.nl
Rescue Mainline: Email with us again! - Mainline
Next Thursday, the House of Representatives will vote on the fate of Mainline. Save Mainline and call on MPs to vote for the amendment.
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
As Hungary defunded NSP & declared a new war on drugs in 2013, the number of ppl accessing treatment fell. NSPs are great for connecting ppl with services. And if you target & criminalise ppl using drugs then you are actively deterring them from accessing treatment. Excellent from Lauren Porter
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
@pwud-pride.bsky.social presenting on the brilliant Safer Inhalation Pipe Project. This work is vital, there is so little to engage ppl into harm reduction & this is a serious step in the right direction! #ehrc2024
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Also @matsouthwell.bsky.social on here - you should definitely follow him #harmreductionhero
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Great session on stimulant harm reduction at #EHRC2014 with @matsouthwell.bsky.social @unodc.bsky.social importance of intersectional approach & working with community partners is a fundamental take away!
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
If you haven’t already follow the fabulously brilliant @pwud-pride.bsky.social 💪 her research is breaking down barriers for people who use drugs. From safer harm reduction equipment to peoples rights in treatment, Magdalena’s work is some of the most important happening right now.
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Magdalena Harris @pwud-pride.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Crack curious or full blown #harmreduction stimulant aficionado? Come to my talk today at #EHRC2024 on safe inhalation pipe provision!! Not in Warsaw? Contribute to debate & share here what you think about their prohibition under UK law. Fyi harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com
Safe inhalation pipe provision (SIPP): protocol for a mixed-method evaluation of an intervention to improve health outcomes and service engagement among people who use crack cocaine in England - Harm ...
Background Over 180,000 people use crack cocaine in England, yet provision of smoking equipment to support safer crack use is prohibited under UK law. Pipes used for crack cocaine smoking are often ho...
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
The brilliant Marie Nougier from @idpc.bsky.social discusses #drug #decriminalisation across the world. Over a third of the 59 countries that have implemented some form of decrim have done so in the last 10 years #EHRC24
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Transnational Institute @tninstitute.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dave Bewley-Taylor, a longstanding fellow of the Transnational Institute, passed away on 20 November 2024. www.tni.org/en/article/d...
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
🧵from @releasedrugs.bsky.social on recent paper analysing effectiveness of criminalisation in Sweden - to no one’s surprise CLS response caused more harm. Great to see more evidence that criminalising ppl who use drugs is damaging especially in the context of Sweden its ‘drug free’ world ambitions!
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Hey all Release is now here - give us a follow for all things drugs, harm reduction, sex worker rights, housing justice, abolition. ‼️ will be lots of rants about harmful policies & practices Follow @releasedrugs.bsky.social
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judithyates.bsky.social @judithyates.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Via WEDINOS.org site: Very worryingly 8th example of isotonitazepyne (n-pyrrolidino isotonitazene), one of the most dangerous nitazenes seen so far, bought in powder form (via dark web?) by somebody in Newcastle-upon-Tyne last week. Danger of accidental overdose as too hard to judge non-fatal dose.
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Friends at TJC are seeking support to stop the execution of Singaporean Masoud Rahimi. He was 20 when he was charged with a capital drug offence. His family is appealing for clemency from President Tharman. More here www.instagram.com/p/DC2GeJ_zO1... Petition here www.change.org/p/people-s-p...
change.org
Sign the Petition
People’s Petition for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Performative politics at play again! ASBOs didn’t go away - ASB, Crime & Policing Act 2014 provides cops & council’s with lots of powers. These powers include orders that continue to target those on the margins - homeless folks, ppl who use drugs, kids in parks! 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Police to get new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour - BBC News
Persistent offenders could be banned from town centres, while those who breach orders could face prison.
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Big thanks @ourmoh.bsky.social for hosting @releasedrugs.bsky.social folks on Friday. ‘How to Survive the Apocalypse’ is a beautiful & thoughtful exhibition. Telling stories of unhoused folks through the pandemic it’s a really important work, go before it closes next week museumofhomelessness.org
museumofhomelessness.org
Museum of Homelessness
The award-winning Museum of Homelessness (MoH) was founded in 2015 and is run by people with direct experience of homelessness.
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Reminder deadline for applying is 5pm Monday (25/11)
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
International agencies seem more concerned about UK drug deaths than UK govt & most of UK media. UN CESCR asking Gov what it is doing to address drug deaths inc. if any steps taken to review criminalisation of ppl who use drugs as part of its broader UK review tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/...
tbinternet.ohchr.org
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Sanho Tree @sanho.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I’m absolutely gutted to learn of the passing of Prof. David Bewley-Taylor. He was one of my oldest friends in the field of drug policy. We first met in 1999 and grew old together in this movement. He was one of the kindest and most giving souls. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.💔
swansea.ac.uk
Professor David Bewley-Taylor - Swansea UniversityMenu
Professor David Bewley-Taylor is a professor of International Relations at Swansea University's School of Social Sciences and specialises in International drug control policy
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Kelly Bonner @kellybonnerbbc.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
The @fiannafail manifesto includes a call to decriminalise drug possession for personal use. This follows what the Citizens Assembly endorsed, along with groups that help drug users. #GE24
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Garth Mullins @garthmullins.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
These brave doctors are following history. We have always been forced to use civil disobedience to save lives: supervised injection, narcan, needle, distribution, safe supply. Unjust laws are meant to be broken. Respect. www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
timescolonist.com
Vancouver Island doctors set up overdose prevention sites without government blessing
The sites are being set up at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria and Nanaimo General Hospital, and organizers plan to run them all through this week.
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Prof Viv Hope @vivprof.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Great to see this published the first of the outputs from the iHOST Project. Great collaborative work with colleagues across the UK incl. @jscottuob.bsky.social @niamhrelease.bsky.social @danlewer.bsky.social
link.springer.com
Improving hospital care for people who use drugs: deliberative process development of a clinical guideline for opioid withdrawal management - Harm Reduction Journal
Background Management of opioid withdrawal in hospital settings is crucial to improve treatment completion and health outcomes among patients who use opioids, such as heroin. Evidence-based clinical g...
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Niamh Eastwood @niamhrelease.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
📣 Release is recruiting a research lead for a new 4 yr project (Seriously thrilled about this). Working with unhoused folks we want to explore how housing policies must be inclusive of people who use drugs. www.release.org.uk/vacancy-rese... Deadline 25 Nov (excited this is my first post here)
release.org.uk
Vacancy - Research Lead
This 4-year funded project aims to challenge and reduce the structural violence and stigma faced by unhoused people who use drugs face significant barriers to stable housing due to current policies. T...
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