The BIC Drugs & Alcohol Work Sector met in Dublin on Thursday 20 – Friday 21 November 2025 featuring a series of organisations from across Ireland working to support those with substance use disorders.

Attendees heard from: Dag Rekve (World Health Organisation (WHO)) as well as representatives from both Alcohol Forum Ireland and The Living Well Community (based in Northern Ireland).

The organisations present showcased a series of community initiatives being trialled in Dublin. This linked in well with the BIC’s Drugs & Alcohol work plan.

The following day, we visited two charities in Dublin: Merchant’s Quay Ireland and the Dublin Simon Community’s Usher’s Island facility.

The morning began with a tour of the Dublin Simon Community’s Usher’s Island facility to learn about the ongoing work to provide specialist care to those suffering from alcohol and drug use disorders. Officials in attendance met with staff and service users.

The Work Sector group then moved on to Merchant’s Quay Ireland. Staff gave a tour of their facilities and talked about the range of services offered to those with addiction issues within the homeless community. As part of the tour, officials learned more about the work of the Union for Improved Services, Communication and Education (UISCE), a group advocating for the rights of drug users.