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Home > National drugs strategy [Safe injecting] [49759/12].

[Oireachtas] National drugs strategy [Safe injecting] [49759/12]. (13 Nov 2012)

URL: http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20a...


630. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the systems in place to provide supervised injection sites to ensure the adequate disposal of needles used to inject heroin in view of the fact that such a service would provide an access point to clean needles, reduce the overall harm to the user and treatment professionals and encourage users to undertake treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49759/12]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White): In line with the Programme for Government and Action 34 of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16, it is Government policy to expand the availability of needle exchange services. These services provide sterilised needles, syringes and associated injecting paraphernalia.
 
They also reduce the dangers posed by discarded needles through the strong emphasis on the exchange of used supplies for new. As well as the direct benefits of needle exchange services, they also bring injecting drug users into contact with health professionals thereby facilitating opportunities to avail of further treatment options.
 
It is not my intention to introduce supervised injection sites for heroin users. Rather my focus is on increasing needle exchange provision and also on increasing the emphasis on providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use, through drug treatment and rehabilitation, to a drug-free life where that is achievable.
 
Dail Debate - Written Answers: Drug Treatment Programmes
Vol. 774 No. 5
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Item Type
Dail Debates
Source
Oireachtas
Date
13 November 2012
EndNote
View
Subjects
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
G Health and disease > Etiology > Disease transmission factor > Needle sharing
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Health related prevention > Health information and education > Communicable disease control
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Substance use prevention > Substance use harm reduction
T Demographic characteristics > Person who injects drugs (Intravenous / injecting)
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Health related prevention > Health information and education > Communicable disease control > Needle syringe distribution and exchange
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Programme planning, implementation, and evaluation > Programme planning (strategy)
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Harm reduction policy

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