Pharmacists use addicts as leverage in dispute

THE action by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) in declining methadone cover to addicts is yet another example of an impoverishment of attitudes towards those in need of help.

Addicts in Ireland are in the almost unique position of being both simultaneously the most despised and most vulnerable group of people in need of assistance from society.

That the IPU should throw their methadone clients into the political arena as leverage for whatever issues they may have with the Minister for Health is a contemptible acknowledgement of this implicit disdain, which moves us yet closer to a laissez faire model of social provision in which it is believed that only the strong survive and the rest deserve their plight.

In addition, the continued failure of the Government — of any government in our recent history — to deal effectively with the problems in the health service is an indictment not only of those politicians but also of an electorate unwilling to take responsibility for electing public representatives who can make hard choices and difficult changes to the wasteful structure that is our health service.

Despite Mary Harney’s obvious capability, she is part of a Government which has yet to show any backbone when it comes to dealing with problems, rather than responding to issues only when they become a public concern.

We have perpetuated a system of government that relies — with few exceptions — on an almost permanent state of crisis and brinkmanship among participants for bringing issues to resolution.

The actions of the IPU, and the weaknesses of our Government in resolving these issues, are a very poor reflection on us all.

Finian Fallon

32 Newmarket Square

Wards Hill

Dublin 8