Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Room for debate
Top doctor in call to consider units for injecting drugs
DRUG users injecting in public places in Northern Ireland have become a “significant problem”, the chief medical officer has warned.
Dr Michael Mcbride said “options” to tackle the problem include providing rooms where addicts can take substances in a supervised scenario.
The call came after the Department of Health this week revealed drug-related deaths among males in Northern Ireland have almost doubled in the past 10 years.
Evidence of substance use in Belfast has become increasingly common with syringes found near St Anne’s Cathedral and in the Botanic district.
Dr Mcbride said health professionals had seen a spike in the use of heroin among patients in recent years.
He told the BBC: “My own view on this is that we need to look at all options that can reduce the harm associated with intravenous drug misuse.
“Yes, we have reduced the risk of overdose through making available Naloxone A 19TH century church is to be revamped as a boutique hotel and restaurant in a £8million investment plan.
The Holy Rosary and parochial house on South Belfast’s Ormeau Road will open early next year if the scheme gets the green light from the council next week.
Owners the Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort said the development will create around but we also need to look at whether or not there are other alternative models such as consumption rooms.
“Ultimately, decisions of that nature will be a matter for a minister in an Executive in due course.” Det Supt Bobby
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100 jobs and has been “recommended for approval by planning officials”.
The former derelict grade B1 listed building will house 18 bedrooms, a new bar and signature restaurant.
A spokesman said: “If the plans are approved, this exciting venture will further complement our new and expanding Galgorm Collection, which comprises numerous award-winning properties.” Singleton said the PSNI was following the debate around safe drug rooms “with a very keen interest”.
He added: “Law enforcement clearly has a role to play in terms of restricting the availability of illicit and prescription drugs on the street. It is a priority for communities and consequently it is a priority for us. “We recognise the limitations of law enforcement when it comes to dealing with an addressing the harms associated with intravenous drug misuse.”
Asked about the likelihood of consumption rooms being introduced to reduce deaths, Dr Mcbride explained there were “a range of views around the effectiveness of such an approach” and some medics fear it could encourage addicts to continue injecting.
He added: “I don’t think it’s a problem that’s going to go away any time soon. We’re beginning to make progress in some areas but this is a complex issue, there are no simple solutions.”
The British Medical Association said there should be a “refocusing to prioritise treatment and support over criminalisation of drug users”.