Ó Ríordáin and Varadkar push for supervised drug centres

Drugs Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Health Minister Leo Varadkar will bring plans for supervised drug injection centres to the Government before Christmas in a bid to tackle the addiction crisis.

The timeline emerged last night despite Mr Ó Ríordáin confirming that legislation governing the move may not be passed before the general election as previously promised— potentially hampering its introduction.

Under plans being examined by the coalition, the Government ministers want supervised centres introduced in cities and towns to reduce street drug use and its knock-on effects for drug users and the general public.