Concern after used syringes found in park

A FIANNA Fáil senator believes that more effort must be made to encourage intravenous drug users to appropriately dispose of needles after used syringes were discovered in a Southside park.

Senator Catherine Ardagh made her comments after the syringes were recently found in Cherry Orchard Park.

Senator Ardagh said: “I am concerned for those injecting illicit drugs but especially for the broader hazards of improperly disposing of used syringes. These syringes are likely contaminated and possibly transmit blood borne disease or infection. Therefore, it is critical that they are removed appropriately and safely disposed of by the authorities.”

She pointed out that the area is popular with local young people and children.

“I dread to think that they could be at risk or accidentally harmed by one of these needles,” she continued. “Syringes have been discovered by residents on more than one occasion and they have been left with no alternative but to remove them themselves.

“While this appears to be becoming a problem in Cherry Orchard Park, I am aware of other green spaces in the Dublin area where they’ve been found. Dublin City Council has a certain degree of responsibility to ensure that there are resources in place to respond to these reports and protect public health.”

She added: “Ultimately, offering new for used syringes is essential to safeguarding those who may stumble upon sharps that have not been properly disposed of by someone in addiction. Needle and syringe programmes are hugely important this regard.

“Local and Regional Drug Taskforces have been severely curtailed in recent times and given the cuts to funding most have been forced to limit the provision of a needle exchange programme in their community.

“For the sake of both those suffering in addiction and members of the public who are indirectly affected by the drugs crisis, we must examine the means of restoring an appropriate level of funding to the Local and Regional Task Forces.”