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Home > Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 208 - National Drugs Strategy [Needle exchange] [20264/11]

[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answer 208 - National Drugs Strategy [Needle exchange] [20264/11]. (13 Jul 2011)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2...


208. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of needle exchange services that are currently operating here; the number of patients each service treated in 2010. [20264/11]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): The HSE operates both fixed site needle exchange services and outreach services through mobile units and home visits in its four regions. Needle exchange services are also provided by a number of voluntary sector organisations. However, national data on needle exchange is not currently collated. 

The HSE has established a Working Group on Needle Exchange to facilitate the management of such services. This Working Group has prioritised the provision of needle exchange services in areas outside Dublin where services are not currently available. In line with this, the HSE and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) have agreed on proposals, supported by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, to roll out needle exchange services through Community Pharmacies. The training of participating pharmacists has been completed and the HSE has recruited a National Liaison Pharmacist who has recently taken up that post. It is envisaged that needle exchange services will begin in an initial group of pharmacies in the Autumn.
 
Written Answers - National Drugs Strategy
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 737 No. 7
Item Type
Dail Debates
Publication Type
Irish-related
Drug Type
Substances (not alcohol/tobacco), Opioid
Intervention Type
Harm reduction
Source
Oireachtas
Date
13 July 2011
EndNote
View
Subjects
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health related issues > Health information and education > Communicable / infectious disease control > Needle syringe distribution and exchange
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Harm reduction policy
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland

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