Ireland’s first supervised drug injection centre could launch in Dublin in 2016

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Ireland’s first supervised drug injection centre could launch in Dublin in 2016

24 November 2015

By Nemesha Balasundaram

Ireland's first medically supervised injection centre for drug addicts could be opened in Dublin by the end of next year, according to the country’s Minister for Drugs.

The move is part of a radical cultural shift by the Irish Government to tackle Ireland’s drug-related crime problems, which also includes proposals to decriminalise the use of drugs, including heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

Following the announcement earlier this month that the use of drugs for personal use would no longer be an arrestable offence, Minister for Ireland’s Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin confirmed that a cabinet meeting would take place this week to discuss the launch of a supervised injection centre in the Irish capital.

Speaking to The Irish Post today he said: “The first centre could be opened within the next 12 to 18 months. It is a while yet, as we need to first remove the legislative block and look at the regulations that are currently in place.

“It’s the first step in getting drug users off the streets and showing a more caring and compassionate approach in creating a facility that will help them on their road to recovery.”

He added that whilst there had been widespread support for the proposals, there had also been confusion over the difference between legalisation and decriminalisation.

“On the whole there has been great support,” the Minister said. “But there was initial frustration within the political end of the sphere. A Fine Gael backbencher said he was unconvinced that having an increased amount of drugs on the streets was going to help.

“That’s not what we are talking about. We are talking about decriminalising the individual, not the drugs. Drugs aren’t going to become readily available.

“People that oppose what we’re trying to do need to justify why it’s okay to criminalise addicts. The question is not whether to decriminalise or not, but the question is why wouldn’t we?”

The Minister also revealed that the proposals for decriminalisation are unlikely to happen under the present government, but that it was important to start the conversation.

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