Plans for new injecting centres for heroin users are drawing a mixed reaction.
The Ana Liffey Drug Project and the Voluntary Assistance Scheme of the Bar Council of Ireland have been working together since last summer on draft legislation which would allow for the operating of the centres.
It comes as the Herald revealed that 30 needles are found on the city streets every day.
Read More: Radical legislation to allow for supervised injecting centres for heroin users
Grainne Kenny, the Honorary President of Europe against Drugs (EURAD), said that the experience elsewhere is that there isn't a huge uptake of such injecting centre facilities.
"I would think it shows a real failure of successive governments, that they haven't been able in such a small country to tackle the drug problem. It is not doing anything with the actual problem," Ms Kenny said.
"All it's doing is moving it. It is not doing anything to make people better. It is nothing more than window dressing."
She believed that needles will still be on the streets. While some will use the injecting centres, other addicts who want a fix will inject where they get their drug, she pointed out.
treatment
However, homeless champion Fr Peter McVerry said that he is "absolutely" in favour of such centres.
Source: Fiona Dillion Evening herald, 17/02/15
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