I was honoured to be awared a prestigious life time achievements award at the McLean-DB Recovery+ Awards on Monday, June 26, during the awards dinner.
The awards are billed as ‘The Oscars for Addiction Recovery’ — and identify and celebrate outstanding addiction treatment and recovery by individuals and organisations.
I was was chosen particularly for my work on the Harm to Hope drug strategy, but I’ve devoted much of my time in politics to working on the issue of addiction and the link to crime and I was very proud to lead the team which produced the first-ever national 10-year drug strategy. The award is also a recognition of the many civil servants who I’ve worked alongside over the years and who have shown such dedication to this cause.
I was particularly honoured to receive this lifetime achievement award given the group is drawn from those working at the sharp end of addiction.