Michael D. Higgins’ compassionate speech at Citywide’s 20th Anniversary Drug Conference.
The Irish president spoke today at Croke Park in Dublin as part of Citywide’s ‘Our Communities, Our World — A Drugs Policy that Works’ 20th anniversary event. His words touched those in the crowd. His health and human rights approach to drugs problems impressed many. It had them criticising their own governments approaches to helping society’s most vulnerable people. Attacking stigmatisation and defending dignity the president upheld his reputation as a kind and insightful political figure. His support for those most in need of help has been unwavering throughout his presidency.
You can read the speech here and feel the power of his words in the Twitter reactions below.
"We need a health-based response to drugs" Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland
Amazing news, Ireland now miles ahead of @ukhomeoffice
— Beckley Foundation | Psychedelic Research (@BeckleyResearch) November 12, 2015
President Michael D Higgins speech to Citywide Conference @drugscrisis https://t.co/52Q1vhfFH9 #cwdrugconf
— Citywide (@drugscrisis) November 12, 2015
This is the brilliant speech just delivered at #cwdrugconf by Irish President Micheal Higgins https://t.co/cmpvzpOoQH
— Steve Rolles 🇺🇦 (@SteveTransform) November 12, 2015
Read the Irish President's speech from this morning's session #cwdrugconf – really inspirational. https://t.co/MtICTmwzH3
— Release Drugs (@Release_drugs) November 12, 2015
A compassionate and considered speech from Irish President at #cwdrugconf today. Ireland can show leadership! https://t.co/hfEtF2DQVu
— Ann Fordham (@AnnFordham) November 12, 2015
Hearing the Irish president and Mininster of state at #cwdrugconf makes me despair for the childish, backward attitudes of the @ukhomeoffice
— Steve Rolles 🇺🇦 (@SteveTransform) November 12, 2015
@drugscrisis #cwdrugconf President Higgins drug users should be allowed to have a voice & treated with care @AodhanORiordain @BelindaNugent
— Belinda Nugent (@BelindaNugent) November 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/Clay_Darcy/status/664772350987104256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
@drugscrisis #cwdrugconf President Higgins we need to treat drug users with dignity @AodhanORiordain @BelindaNugent @SAOLproject
— Belinda Nugent (@BelindaNugent) November 12, 2015
Overwhelmed by the brilliance, passion & compassion of Ireland's President – brilliant, brilliant, brilliant #cwdrugconf
— Release Drugs (@Release_drugs) November 12, 2015
@drugscrisis: "Drugs are a problem that deserves a sustained, complex and best effort" President Michael D Higgins #cwdrugconf
— Tony Duffin (@tonyduffin) November 12, 2015
OK – so the Irish President Micheal Higgins just totally smashed it at #cwdrugconf – what an amazing guy! #wearenotworthy
— Steve Rolles 🇺🇦 (@SteveTransform) November 12, 2015
"Citywide is a valid example of participative democracy. It's a privilege to be here" Michael D Higgins #cwdrugconf
— Citywide (@drugscrisis) November 12, 2015
President of Ireland @MichaelDHiggs says stigma & imprisonment of #drug users not the answer #cwdrugconf #WarOnDrugs pic.twitter.com/ffrzVyvTVv
— CISTA (@cista_ni) November 12, 2015
President Higgins says we are witnessing a shift internationally from criminal justice approach to drug use to public health one #cwdrugconf
— Cormac O'Keeffe (@CormacJOKeeffe) November 12, 2015
@MichaelDHiggs "The nature and scale of the drug problem in Ireland has changed with the likes of Citywide and advocacy groups" #cwdrugconf
— Help Not Harm (@HelpNotHarmIE) November 12, 2015
@MichaelDHiggs "Ireland will bring a balance approach inclusive of human rights" #cwdrugconf
— Help Not Harm (@HelpNotHarmIE) November 12, 2015
Yesterday, herald ran with a FG story saying drugs minister was on a solo run. Today, President is at #cwdrugconf. https://t.co/XWGr7TCVZ8
— Pajosmashup 🦁 (@Pajosmashup) November 12, 2015
Irish President 'its not about being tough or soft on drugs – its about having the best policy and the most effective tools ' #cwdrugconf
— Steve Rolles 🇺🇦 (@SteveTransform) November 12, 2015
#cwdrugconf Irish President highlights the damage of incarceration as a response to drugs – just look at USA #SupportDontPunish
— Ann Fordham (@AnnFordham) November 12, 2015
"The issue is to have the best strategy" not about being hard or soft on drugs Michael D Higgins #cwdrugconf
— Citywide (@drugscrisis) November 12, 2015
Brilliant stuff from President M.D Higgins thoughtful, compassionate with #humanrights at its core #cwdrugconf https://t.co/Af5dhkFPTk
— Niamh Eastwood (@niamhrelease) November 12, 2015
Address by President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins calls evidence base health approach to drug use
— Belong To (@Belong_To) November 12, 2015
President Higgins: "Dependency calls for a response that is health-based" #cwdrugconf
— Eamonn Quinn (@eamonn_q) November 12, 2015
President #Ireland those who use drugs often excluded from society where they are dehumanised leading to denial of rights #cwdrugconf
— Release Drugs (@Release_drugs) November 12, 2015
Uachtarán na hÉireann @drugscrisis #cwdrugconf : "dependency calls for a response that is health based"
— Marcus Keane (@MarcusKeane3) November 12, 2015
"Their addiction is used at times to dehumanise' 'used as a justification for victimisation' Michael D Higgins #cwdrugconf
— Citywide (@drugscrisis) November 12, 2015
President of #Ireland theme of his presidency is inclusivity & ALL citizens must be treated with #dignity & respect #drugpolicy #cwdrugconf
— Release Drugs (@Release_drugs) November 12, 2015
@drugscrisis #cwdrugconf President Higgins so many life's lost and many opportunities missed from drugs pic.twitter.com/q36NpVXiTb
— Belinda Nugent (@BelindaNugent) November 12, 2015
Pres Higgins: burden of poverty & drugs falls most heavily on communities & people wth least capacity to carry it #cwdrugconf @FocusIreland
— Mike Allen (@MikeAllenFI) November 12, 2015
President of Ireland at the #cwdrugconf with us in Dublin https://t.co/N8J5RtTpJr
— IDPC (@IDPCnet) November 12, 2015
President of Ireland @md_higgins addressing #cwdrugconf pic.twitter.com/DC7PUYbvpq
— ACET Ireland (@ACETIreland) November 12, 2015
President Michael D Higgins has arrived at @drugscrisis #cwdrugconf conference. pic.twitter.com/1XOXMHugd4
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) November 12, 2015
Follow the conference updates on Twitter at #cwdrugconf