In launching the guide, Minister of State Pat Carey TD stated that the reality of substance misuse meant that, in the short term, abstinence was rarely achievable, making harm reduction interventions necessary. He said that there was a need to develop more needle- and syringe-exchange services in Ireland, while acknowledging that such action might invite criticism. 

 

This safer injecting guide is produced for people who inject drugs. The booklet includes advice about safer injecting practices and different types of injecting – into a vein or muscle, or under the skin  (skin popping). The importance of washing one’s hands prior to injecting to reduce the risk of infection is a simple and important point highlighted in the guide. Advice is provided about how to look after veins and decrease vein damage. Readers are encouraged to seek medical attention if they experience any health-related issues associated with injecting. A full description of the necessary injecting equipment is provided, along with the important statement that ‘single-use syringes are the safest as water and/or bleach will not destroy all viruses’. Overdose prevention techniques and responses are described, along with information on the increased risk of overdose due to polydrug use. The necessity for protection against the acquisition and transmission of blood-borne viruses is also discussed. 

 

For further information, contact Merchants Quay Ireland on (01) 645 6524/00 or www.mqi.ie, or drop in to the service at 4 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8.

 

1. Merchants Quay Ireland (2008) Safer Injecting: reducing the harm associated with injecting drug use. Dublin: MQI. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12915/