'An injection centre is needed more than an events centre': Concern over discarded drug paraphernalia 

Cork’s heroin problem means the city needs an injection centre more than it needs an events centre, a housing activist and local election candidate has claimed.

William O’Brien, who is running as an independent candidate in Cork South Central ward in June’s local elections, told The Echo that residents of the Barrack St area have been dealing with drug littering for several years.

Mr O’Brien said the problem of discarded needles and drug paraphernalia had been especially acute in the Fort St, Dean St, and Desmond’s Square areas in recent months.

He said the issue highlighted again the need in the city for a supervised injection centre.

“An injection centre is probably needed more than an events centre, because heroin is a 24-hour problem for the individuals living with addiction and the areas that they frequent,” he said.

Former lord mayor, Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher, said he had long advocated the need for a supervised injection centre.

“We need to have a health-led approach to the epidemic of heroin addiction in our city, but the wraparound services, addiction, medical, and mental health services need to be put in place too,” he said.

“I believe a supervised injection facility, on a medical campus, needs to be part of a large jigsaw puzzle that needs to be put in place to deal with this problem.” 

A Cork City Council spokesperson said cleaning staff had found five sharps (needles or syringes) in the Dean St area last year.

They said no sharps had been recovered on Fort St or on Desmond’s Square last year, but acknowledged that this might be due to residents clearing away hazardous materials themselves and removing drug paraphernalia.

They said cleaning staff would continue to remove all drug paraphernalia when found on the streets. “The southside area supervisor has agreed that he will continue to visit the areas noted on a regular basis to inspect for drug paraphernalia,” said the council spokesperson.

“We encourage local residents to contact the city council if they encounter general litter, illegal dumping or discarded drug paraphernalia in the area.

“The public can call the city council customer service unit on 021 4924000 or visit the Cork City Council website,” they said.