Limerick homeless shelter sees surge in drug overdoses and relapses during Covid

Risky drug use and overdose among clients of the facility escalated during the pandemic, particularly the first lockdown

Patricia Leahy is in recovery after battling drug addiction for years; she is currently two and a half years “clean from drugs” with support from NOVAS.

Incidents of drugs overdoses, as well as drug relapses, rose sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, at McGarry House, a shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Limerick City.

Naloxone, a life-saving medication used to block the effects of drugs overdoses, was used 42 times at McGarry House in 2020, compared to 18 occasions in 2019.