Minister: Children could touch syringes on Dublin streets

Minister with responsibility for National Drugs Strategy says he wants to see legislation for medically-supervised injection centres introduced as soon as possible.

Aodhan O’Riordain has taken part in a walkabout of certain areas in Dublin City Centre to see extent of the challenges facing those who work to tackle the country's drug problem.

The Minister says he saw used syringes, blood and pavements soiled with excrement.

The Minister of State for Equality, New Communities, Culture & National Drugs Strategy, Aodhán Ó Riordáin, explains.

"I've done a walk-around like this before with Tony Duffen of the Ana Liffey Drug Project," he said.

"He just wanted to show me the reality of drug injecting, and the evidence of it in the [Dublin] city centre.

"There's a lot of syringes, in back alleyways, open laneways, open syringes, needles exposed, anybody can touch them, anybody can touch them, children could touch them.

"There was evidence of blood having been spilled, and human excrement."