Calls for drug consumption room to 'prevent deaths'

There are fresh calls for a drug consumption room to be opened in Northern Ireland.

The facility would allow drug users to inject substances like heroin under the supervision of trained medical staff.

Users of these services receive clean needles, mental health support and supervision from medics who can respond quickly to an overdose.

There are more than 200 such facilities in 17 countries worldwide.

Since then there has been no progress and those working on the ground say the situation has now reached 'crisis point'.

Damien McNairney who has worked with drug users for seven years said he has 'seen it all'.

"We need to stop being judgemental. We need to be more compassionate. The number of deaths just keeps increasing," he told BBC News NI.

According to official figures there have been 585 drugs related deaths in Northern Ireland over the last three years.

"A safe consumption room is going to prevent deaths and stop needles like we're seeing from being discarded on the streets," he said.

In September, Dublin will open its first safe injecting facility at Merchants Quay in the city centre.

It will mark the culmination of seven years of planning.

Eddy Mullins from Merchants Quay Ireland said it would "undoubtedly save lives".

"There are people today on the streets of Dublin who are injecting in an undignified and an unsafe manner - in alleyways and in underground car parks without any support," he said.

"We've had a significant issue with Nitazenes over the last few months. In November we had over 60 overdoses in a weekend period. It highlights the need for this facility even more than ever."

However there have been objections.

In 2019, Dublin City Council refused a planning application after locals, businesses and some public representatives said the location was unsuitable.

"I can completely understand the concerns and the reservations people have but I think a lot of them are misplaced," said Mr Mullins.

"We're in a part of the city that has had its fair share of deprivation, poverty and problems so I can fully understand their concerns," he said

But he added that it was a "positive" development as it will "take people off the streets into a more dignified, safe environment."

Those supportive of the service argue it will save lives, place people in treatment, reduce infections and reduce drug paraphernalia on the streets.

There is, however, a grey area.

The types of drugs being used in Merchants Quay are illegal to possess on the streets. But using them in the Safe Injecting Facility will be legal.

"That's the big challenge for everybody," said Mr Mullins.

"The guards (Irish police) would be very familiar with the clientele who are in a dire situation and we work very closely with the guards to support people who are in chronic addiction.

"But they have a job to do in terms of supply and to deal with the criminal aspect of drug supply. It's going to be an interesting journey for everybody."

Drug users at Merchants Quays have described an injection room as a lifeline.

Gary has been using drugs for almost 40 years and has lost two brothers and a sister to heroin.

"Crack is an epidemic. It's everywhere. Crystal meth is starting to come here. Crack is just a head game and that's what gets you hooked," he said.

"Drugs has destroyed my family. I just have a brother and a sister left out of a family of eight all due to drugs.

"You're not living. You're just living for the next pipe. You will not get clean in an area where drugs are being sold. And you only have to walk around the corner and you'll get drugs."

Among those who work on the streets of Belfast the answer appears to be 'yes'.

"You develop friendships with people you help on the streets and when they don't come back because they've died from a drugs overdose, it's hard," Damien McNairney said.

"People are struggling and the numbers will continue to rise unless we do something positive. And that is a safe injecting facility," he added.

Being on the streets of Dublin and seeing the types of drugs people are buying and using one couldn't help wonder if Northern Ireland has missed the boat.

This service is a safe injecting room, not a drug consumption room like the Scottish model due to open in the summer.

What I saw on the streets of Dublin was people smoking crack cocaine, rather than injecting heroin.

Drug trends change quickly and like all trends, will change and change again.

But that trend shift does not mean people have stopped injecting drugs.

They are, and those championing this service say it will undoubtedly save lives.

If there is consensus would it require a change in legislation? Not necessarily.

Scotland's senior law officer said users would not be prosecuted for possessing illegal drugs while at the facility.

But as it currently stands there are no plans for a consumption room in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health (DoH) said there were no proposals in the strategy on "Overdose Prevention Facilities" at this time.

However, in a statement, DoH said it would "continue to monitor evidence on the effectiveness of different interventions, such as the forthcoming pilot overdose prevention facilities in Glasgow and Dublin, and will give due consideration to new interventions as appropriate within the wider legislative framework".