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Updated 4.10pm
SENATORS HAVE APPROVED legislation to set up supervised injecting centres – the latest in a polarising debate on how addiction should be handled in Ireland.
Today, the Seanad passed the Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017 after it received Dáil approval in March.
The bill will permit the preparation or possession of controlled substances in supervised premises and exempt certain users from the possession of controlled drugs under certain conditions.
The facilities will provide access to clean, sterile injecting equipment and have trained staff on hand to provide emergency care in the event of an overdose, as well as advice on treatment and rehabilitation.
It’s been argued that supervised injection centres will also help alleviate the problems associated with injecting on the street, including drug-related litter.
Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, the former drugs minister, welcomed the news, saying he was “so proud” of everyone who helped make it possible.
Tony Duffin, CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, also welcomed today’s development.
Speaking outside the Oireachtas, he said: “This is a great day for drug policy in Ireland. Supervised injecting facilities are a very positive step – they will save both lives and money.
Ana Liffey has been working for the implementation of these services for a number of years, and it is terrific to see that work pay off. On behalf of all our staff and clients, I’d like to thank the current minister, Catherine Byrne and her predecessor Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin for bringing this issue forward.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the support of the barristers who gave their time pro-bono to work with us through the Voluntary Assistance Scheme of the Bar of Ireland.
“More broadly, I’d like to thank the members of both Houses for their engagement with this issue. There has been cross-party support for this initiative, which needs to be acknowledged and commended.”
90 centres worldwide
There are over 90 injection centres in operation across the world, providing frontline care to people who inject drugs, and giving them a suitable space to do so away from the street, while also connecting them with treatment services.
Given the recent reports of fentanyl, an opioid hundreds of times more potent than heroin, being present in Northern Ireland, Duffin said the establishment of the pilot centre cannot come quickly enough:
“The reports out of Northern Ireland are worrying – we’ve seen the devastation fentanyl and related drugs have caused in other jurisdictions. They present a huge overdose risk even to people who have high tolerances for opiate drugs.
There has never been an overdose death in a supervised injecting centre, so it’s important to get the centre open as soon as possible. We look forward to working with local stakeholders to do all we can to ensure that that the pilot centre is a success.
Drug consumption rooms have been operating in Europe for 30 years, with the first drug consumption room opening in Switzerland in 1986.
In October 2016 the first supervised injecting facility in France was opened in a suburb of Paris. Lisbon and Glasgow are currently working towards opening similar facilities.
Business concerns
However, there have been concerns from some businesses.
The Temple Bar Company, which represents businesses and cultural centres, has previously voiced its concern about the motion, saying it would effectively decriminalise drugs in certain areas of the city.
Martin Harte, CEO of the Temple Bar Company, said: “We have a serious drug problem in Dublin city with more than 20,000 heroin addicts. Public injecting is a problem as is [public] defecation and urination – which is linked with drug addiction.”
No decision has been taken on the specific location of any such facility. The bill must be signed by the president before becoming law.
With reporting by Órla Ryan
And if you add 2013 and 1432 you get 3445. Then if you add those numbers, you get 16. Which, coincidentally, is the house number on Petunia Drive where my auntie Doris lived with that bloke from the dairy. And he was mad about The Beatles! But that’s another story!!
Well it was either number 16 or number 18, I always get those two mixed up because my friends the Heath twins lived at number 18 (or it could’ve been 16), but not the same road. That lad was never the same after the dairy closed. I blame the supermarkets.
Go back to bed Gavan!
I’m already up now, might as well do the 9 at 9….
Ah leave Gavin alone! Just a light article on a day a lot of people probably can’t read!! :) here’s to the early risers !!
Gavan why has there been no article on the disaster that was The Gathering in Dublin last night.
I am calling on Miriam to do a prime time investigation into what a sham it was. Not as much as a firework
The fireworks were on at 8 so they could be a family friendly event. I thought the concert was great, yes it wasn’t as good as say the London or Edinburgh events but if we had of spent the same budget on ours there would have been uproar.
How come tickets were €20 then? By the sounds of it, it wasn’t worth it.
I came on looking for an article to vent my anger at about that!
New year, same old moaning.
No it’s not. We deserve better than what was put on last night. It was to be the great event to kick start The Gathering 2013. We can spend millions on Dublin Castle for a bunch of EU politicians but we have to settle for the sham that was last night.
Tickets were ?15 which for a live concert on New years eve wasn’t bad, I thought Imelda May was fantastic. Trinity looked amazing I was passing on Sunday evening when they were practicing it was lovely.
Glad you enjoyed it. Happy new year Helen
Thought it was really funny when RTE started showing other countries new year firework displays at midnight. License fee money at work right there!!
Oh God will you all stop till lunchtime!!
They’ll be sorry Gavan when that question is asked at a table quiz!! Hey, this is stuff we need to know!
Wow. Full marks on your research there Gav. (You forgot to mention that they are both years and also that they both add all their digits up to an even number). Even more wow now.
Have a horrible & unpleasant two thirteen everyone ;)
You mean twenty thirteen?
No Robin. two thirteen. Just ask Micheal Noonan
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