Increases in the availability of drug services for people with heroin dependency

Narrative

The key impact focuses on the underpinning research contributions to the health and wellbeing of individuals who are dependent on heroin in Northern Ireland, where an estimated 828 “problem heroin users” resided just prior to substantial changes in the provision of drug services. The impact on extremely marginalised individuals who were dependent on heroin is linked to the implementation of substitute prescribing and needle/syringe exchange in Northern Ireland. These services can contribute to recovery from drug dependence and can help reduce the spread of blood-borne viruses, e.g., HIV, among these individuals. Additionally, the diffusion of impact has occurred with increasing numbers of individuals accessing these services over time.

Impact status	Ongoing
Category of impact	Societial Impact, Public Policy Impact