Costello welcomes commitment to bring forward formal proposal on supervised injecting centres

1 December 2015

by Cllr Joe Costello

On Medically Supervised Injection Centres Topical Issue:

Joe Costello TD has welcomed the commitment by Minister Aodhan O Riordan today that he will submit a formal proposal to Government before Christmas in relation to medical supervised injecting centres and bring forward the necessary legislation in the New Year. The subject was discussed during a Topical Issue debate.

Speaking at during the debate, Deputy Costello said “I have come from a Health Committee meeting that is discussing emerging trends and key responses to HIV in Ireland. Intravenous drug use is one of the factors leading to an increase in HIV.

“Drug addiction must be treated as a health issue, and drug users deserve our compassion and help. A medically supervised injecting centre would give intravenous drug users a safe location where they would be able to access a range of medical services and other supports. The experience of other cities with these facilities shows that they are effective in engaging difficult-to-reach populations of drug users.

“It is important, however, that the local community is consulted with about the location of a medically supervised injection centre.

“Medically supervised injection centres are not a panacea for the drug problems in Ireland. But if properly implemented, they have a key role in mitigating some of the worse features of drug use and improving the health of people who are experiencing this terrible addiction.”