Ana Liffey Drug Project 2024 Annual Report Launch Nov 18th 2025

An accessible addiction service, expanding to meet the needs of vulnerable women

Speaking at the launch of Ana Liffey Drug Project’s 2024 Annual Report this week in Drury Buildings, Dublin 2, Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor highlighted the commendable level of work the teams at Ana Liffey undertake, working with 4,511 unique individuals across Dublin and Midwest last year.

Focusing on the newly established Women’s Health Programmes Ana Liffey deliver, the Minister stated:

“Last year, Ana Liffey expanded their work, supported by the HSE in Dublin and Midwest, to set up women’s specific programmes, designed to meet the needs of women experiencing both addiction and homelessness. In the space of 6 months, the new women’s services had worked with 95 vulnerable women. I am highly aware of the specific needs of women who are in addiction and am pleased to say that Ana Liffey also delivered tailored domestic violence and women’s health services to these women, some of whom had never spoken to a health professional about their needs, held back by fear and stigma”.

The power of Peer Work

Also speaking at todays event, Deniss Brovkins, former Ana Liffey Service User and now Ana Liffey Peer Worker and volunteer, described his journey from rough sleeping and addiction to beginning his college course and his recovery, all with the help of Ana Liffey’s team in Dublin. “I became homeless eight years ago and for two years was sleeping rough and not getting any support. Other people on the street told me about Ana Liffey…at first I didn’t want to engage but they kept trying. I wondered why. Now I know..they really care”.

Deniss spoke about saving lives with naloxone, an opioid antagonist which can reverse overdose, and becoming a Peer trainer. He emphasised the power of supporting peers to carry out work alongside Ana Liffey’s teams “I’m now in recovery and peer work at Ana Liffey. It makes huge sense for Ana Liffey to have people who’ve used or are using drugs working for them because we have the real life knowledge that you don’t necessarily find in a book”.

Harm Reduction: Meeting People Where They Are 

Ana Liffey’s Chairperson Vivian Geiran took the opportunity to thank Ana Liffey’s funders and supporters saying “We are deeply grateful for the support of the Department of Health, the HSE – both in Dublin (Brian Kirwan and Bernadette Rooney) and the Midwest (Rory Keane) Regions, Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (Mary Hayes), Limerick City Council (another Mary Hayes), the Probation Service (Una Doyle), Olivia Brody (NEIC Programme Implementation Board) and the many statutory, voluntary, and community partners who share our commitment to a compassionate and effective response to drug use”.  

He emphasised the ongoing importance of harm reduction interventions and non-judgemental services “2024 was a year of both progress and pressure. Across the country, we have continued to see the realities of drug use intersect with other issues including homelessness, mental health, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and poverty. But through it all, harm reduction remains our guiding principle. 

Whether it’s through needle exchange, overdose prevention, or outreach work, harm reduction is about meeting and engaging with people where they are — without judgement, and with practical, evidence-based support. It’s about keeping people safe today, so that recovery and stability are possible tomorrow”. 

Ana Liffey Drug Projects 2024 Annual Report can be downloaded here