Fury for 'drug rooms' proposal

ANTI-DRUGS campaigners have described as outrageous Government plans to consider supervised injection facilities for chronic heroin addicts.

A community group also said it would oppose the move if such a facility was located in areas hit by the drug scourge.

Minister of State with responsibility for the Nationals Drugs Strategy Noel Ahern told the Irish Examiner he would be examining the use of "consumption rooms" in Germany and then decide whether or not to set up a pilot project here.

Gráinne Kenny, of Europe Against Drugs, said she was outraged the Government would even consider the option.

"This is State-sponsored addiction and if the Government brings it in they should hang their heads in shame. It is a policy of absolute failure. You would be giving addicts more addictive drugs. It is also totally against all UN conventions on drugs," she said.

A spokesman for the Coalition of Communities Against Drugs (COCAD) said local communities would have a major problem if such a facility was placed in flat complexes or housing estates.

However the proposal has been welcomed by groups working with drug addicts. Tommy Larkin, of UISCE, said: "Overdoses are still the biggest killer among injectors. If we had consumption rooms lives would be saved."