Government approves medically supervised injection facilities

The government's backed plans for medically supervised injection facilities for drug users.

The government has backed plans for medically supervised injection facilities for drug users.

The proposal has been added to the Misuse of Drugs Bill which is to be published next year.

Minister of State with responsibility for Drug Strategy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin proposed the measure.

He claims such centres can help reduce street injecting and drug related deaths.

“These facilities can help in harm reduction and alleviate some of the complex needs of a vulnerable and hard to reach group of addicts.

"They are not the only solution to addressing drug addiction but will play a significant role in reducing street injecting and drug related deaths.

“Research published by the Health Research Board today demonstrated quite clearly that 387 people died in 2013 due to drug poisoning and 1 in 5 of these deaths was caused by Heroin use.

" The establishment of supervised injecting facilities will allow for earlier medical intervention in the case of overdoses and can also act as a gateway to treatment for drug users."