Increased drug-mixing and alcohol abuse, as well as risky drug-taking are predicted among vulnerable drug-users, as the country emerges from lockdown, warn organisation working with them.
In a joint report published on Wednesday, Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), Coolmine Lodge and Depaul, call on any new government to move quickly to ensure this cohort are provided with housing, treatment and healthcare supports they need.
“For people who use drugs, reconfigured services and reduced residential detox and treatment beds are having a significant impact on people’s drug use and mental health. We are predicting an increase in polysubstance use with a prevalence of alcohol and non-prescribed medication,” they say.
On the other hand, some changes have improved lives and outcomes for vulnerable homeless people and these must be retained.
Source: Kitty Holland, Irish Times, 23rd June 2020
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