Drug consumption centres reduce risk of overdose

Drug consumption rooms can play a role in reducing overdoses and encouraging hard-core addicts into treatment, according to the EU drugs agency.

The finding comes as drugs minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin considers legal proposals to set up Ireland’s first medically supervised injecting centre.

The proposals were drawn up by the Bar Council on behalf of the Ana Liffey Drug Project to combat the open injecting of drugs in Dublin city centre and the dangers posed to addicts and other people.