Agencies call for drug injecting centres

A NORTHSIDE based drug treatment facility is calling for injecting centres to be set up in Dublin so drug addicts can get their

‘fix’ in a safe environment.

The Ana Liffey Drug Project based on Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, says overdosing is a major health issue that needs to be tackled by an innovative approach.

“Far more people die from overdose every year than die on the roads, but each death is just as devastating to the children, families and friends of those who die,

? said Ana Liffey Director, Tony Duffin.

“It’s a major health concern, and there are simple steps we can take to limit the impact it is currently having. We need to be brave in our policies.

?

Mr Duffin said two key issues in addressing overdose are naloxone, an opioid antagonist that effectively reverses the effects of opiates, and medically supervised injecting centres (MSICs), where people can inject drugs in a clinical setting.

“MSICs are an evidence based intervention, which can be effective in tackling serious issues around drug use – including overdose, improving access to treatment and rehabilitation and public injecting,

? he continued.

“We’ve spoken with people who use our services, and we know they’d use MSICs, if they were available. It’s important to realise that public drug use in the city centre will continue to be a problem until people have realistic options.

“Many people are homeless, they can’t use drugs in existing services and given that they have nowhere else to go, it’s inevitable that there’s a significant amount of public drug use.

?

Tony Geoghegan, CEO of Merchant’s Quay Ireland is also calling for innovative responses to overdosing.

“We need to support people who are at risk of overdose,

? he said.

“We need to invest in pathways for people to ensure that there are routes from isolated, street based drug use through to treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare.

“Innovative approaches like drug consumption rooms have a place in that continuum, along with increased investment in residential treatment beds to ensure that timely treatment is available when it is needed.

?

The call for MSICs came in the run-up to International Overdose Awareness Day, which took place last week on August 31. On average, one person dies every day in Ireland from overdosing. Ireland is reported as having the third highest level of overdose deaths per capita in Europe

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Christy Burke, recently called for all organisations involved in tackling addiction and homelessness issues in Dublin city centre to band together to deal with the escalating drugs problem.