A LOCAL councillor has slammed comments by the new Minister of State with special responsibility for the national drugs strategy that indicate his support for medically supervised injecting centres.
Speaking at the Ana Liffey Drugs Project’s recent Better City For All Seminar Minister Aodhán Ã? Riordáin said he didn’t see why medical supervision of injecting should be a big issue.
“I think if you’re serious about tackling this problem you have to think differently and think inventively about the humanity that is involved with somebody having to engage in that behaviour in a side alley,
? he continued.
“If there’s a legal problem with that, then let’s fix the legal problem.
?
However, his comments have been slammed as
“a self publicising media stunt
? by Independent Cabra/Finglas councillor, Cieran Perry.
“The proposal for legal shooting-up galleries is a cynical attempt to hide the public face of drug abuse in Dublin instead of actually tackling the problem,
? he said.
“A scheme such as this also normalises and encourages drug use.
“The only winners in this situation are those employed in the lucrative addiction industry.
“This defeatist attitude in relation to seriously tackling drug abuse exposes the fictional war on drugs.
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Cllr Perry is calling on Minister � Riordáin to restore cutbacks made in drug prevention programmes and said properly funded drug rehabilitation was the only effective method of tackling addiction.
Proposals for medically supervised injecting centres are supported by the Ana Liffey Drugs Project.
Director, Tony Duffin, believes there’s a need to implement interventions that focus on tackling issues that cause the most harm.
“For example, there are people who, whether we like it or not, are currently injecting in public on Dublin’s streets,
? he said.
“However, the chances of someone in this group being able to access the residential treatment they need is negligible, because they don’t meet the criteria for entry.
“We need to change that, and to create pathways for people that don’t involve putting unnecessary blocks in front of them.
“Ensuring access to appropriate services at appropriate times is critical to addressing drug use in Ireland.
?
Duffin believes the recently appointed Minister � Riordáin is well placed as a Northsider to lead the development of a new drugs strategy.
“He represents a North Dublin constituency and served on Dublin City Council,
? he explained.
“He has significant experience of working in communities in Dublin’s inner city and will know the impact drug use has on families and individuals.
“He will have spoken to businesses who are frustrated with the negative perception issues like public injecting cause and no doubt, he will have seen public injecting first hand.
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