Minister with responsibility for National Drugs Strategy says he wants to see legislation for medically-supervised injection centres introduced as soon as possible.
Aodhan O’Riordain has taken part in a walkabout of certain areas in Dublin City Centre to see extent of the challenges facing those who work to tackle the country's drug problem.
The Minister says he saw used syringes, blood and pavements soiled with excrement.
The Minister of State for Equality, New Communities, Culture & National Drugs Strategy, Aodhán Ó Riordáin, explains.
"I've done a walk-around like this before with Tony Duffen of the Ana Liffey Drug Project," he said.
"There's a lot of syringes, in back alleyways, open laneways, open syringes, needles exposed, anybody can touch them, anybody can touch them, children could touch them.
Source: Irish Examiner, 01/12/15