Drug policy organisers propose controlled injection centres for drug users

Controlled injection centres for drug users are one option for tackling Ireland's drug abuse problem, according to the hosts of a drug policy workshop.

It is being discussed at a meeting about Ireland's drug policy organised by the London School of Economics.

Controlled centres would mean the legalisation of some drugs, and would allow people to use them in a supervised space, while also being given access to addiction treatment.

Tony Duffin from the Ana Liffey Drug Project says that there are a number of faces to Ireland's drug problem.

He said: "We have high instances of young people taking drugs.

"The instances of a cocktail of drugs, the range of things like mental health issues, so dual diagnosis, are a real serious problem we have at the moment."