Motion Amendment

Motion TitleAddiction and Drug-related Deaths - Amendment 2

Motion Amendment TextLeave out all after ‘addiction issues;’ and insert: ‘agrees that an anti-poverty strategy, coupled with concrete action to alleviate poverty, will be crucial to preventing and reducing addiction; acknowledges with concern the NISRA figures which show that drug related deaths are highest among 25-34 year olds, are five and a half times more likely in areas of highest deprivation and that opioids are consistently the most common form of drug listed as cause of deaths; acknowledges that the war on drugs has been a complete failure, has wasted public resources, and has ultimately cost lives; agrees that the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) is a regressive of piece of legislation that incorrectly treats drug use as a criminal justice issue rather than a health issue; calls on the Minister of Health, in co-operation with the Executive Ministerial Committee for Public Health, to urgently implement the provisions aimed at harm prevention, harm reduction and tackling addiction within the Substance Use Strategy 2021-31, including developing plans for a new residential rehabilitation unit in Belfast; and further calls on the Minister to open an overdose prevention centre in Belfast, with a view to opening additional centres in other areas.’

Amendment Number2

Motion Amendment CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office17/04/2024