Heroin abuse continues to spread

The use of heroin outside Dublin continues to grow with the spread of the drug putting even more pressure on existing services, according to figures published by Merchants Quay Ireland.

The support centre for heroin users, based in Dublin city centre, recorded 20,847 client visits last year, a rise of around 2,000 from 2011.

In all, 3,634 people accessed its needle exchange programme last year, including 558 new service clients.