Aodhán Ó Ríordáin urges safe spaces for drug users

Addicts should be legally allowed to bring their own heroin to State-sanctioned injection centres, drugs minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has indicated.

Mr Ó Ríordáin hopes to sweep away the legal obstacle to the centres within months, with “safe spaces” opening in Cork and other cities if an initial Dublin venue proves a success.

The minister said Ireland needs to undergo a “cultural shift” in its attitudes towards drugs and stop viewing users as criminals.