Govt urged to provide injecting centres for drug addicts

The Government is being urged to provide medically supervised injecting centres for drug addicts to cut the number of deaths.

Ireland has the third highest level of overdose rates per capita in Europe with an average of one person dying here per day.

Today is international overdose awareness day and charities are using the occasion to highlight the need to help those struggling with an addiction.

Director of the Ana Liffey Drug Project Tony Duffin said: "You base these services where the problem exists, not away from there. It should work in conjunction with existing services and with the Gardaí and social and health services."