Annuška

I am a drug policy expert and Left Alliance substitute councillor on the Helsinki City Council. I actively promote more humane drug policy and concrete actions for those in the most vulnerable position.

Annuska

Briefly

  • Project manager of the Rapid Drug Information Network at EHYT ry
  • Previously head of Encountering Work at the A-Clinic Foundation
  • Board member of the Helsinki University Hospital Group
  • Master of Arts in Cultural Wellbeing
  • Doctoral student at the University of Eastern Finland
  • Married, mother of two school-age children
  • Living in Vesala, Eastern Helsinki
  • I enjoy running, hiking and gardening

Advocate for a more humane drug policy

I work as the manager of the rapid drug information network and am currently building a national early warning system for drugs in Finland. At the core of my work is producing up-to-date information on changes in drug markets, new substances and related risks, so we can prevent deaths and reduce harms effectively and in real time.

I have a long background in harm reduction work and strong contact with the field. In my work I meet people who use substances, professionals working with them, and the structural problems related to homelessness, gaps in the service system, and social inequality. I am also one of the initiators of the citizens initiative promoting safer injection rooms, and I have not given up on it even though the initiative itself was defeated in Parliament.

I am doing doctoral research at the University of Eastern Finland on how society creates and maintains stigma towards people who use substances. My research combines practical field work experience and societal analysis: drug policy is not just drug policy, but a question of human rights, health, security, and who is seen as a full member of society.

I want to promote evidence-based, humane and effective drug policy in Finland that reduces harms, saves lives and increases security for the whole society. My goal is to bring field experience, research evidence and the voices of those who are too often invisible in politics into decision-making — both at the municipal level and in national policy-making.