Injection facility for Cork ‘cannot wait’

The Government has been urged to immediately begin planning for a permanent supervised injection facility in Cork.

The issue was raised in the Dáil this week by Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice, who called on Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, minister of state for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy, to act without delay.

“Last month, I asked the minister about a supervised injection facility for Cork, and was told that no new safe injection facilities would be considered until after the 18-month pilot in Dublin was completed,” said Mr Rice.

“This pilot won’t be completed until the middle of next year.”

He referenced a recent UCC study showing that there are 859 problem drug users in Cork City, and that an average of 35 people are dying in the city each year from drug use.

“Cork cannot wait for pilot schemes and reports,” said Mr Rice.

“People are dying in our city because the proper supports are not in place.”

He said he had “serious concerns” about the minister’s suggestion that a mobile unit could be deployed in Cork.

“There is certainly a place for mobile units, but as the second-largest city in Ireland, Cork needs a dedicated centre.

“Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland, recently told The Echo that a mobile unit would be quite ineffective.

“A centre provides a place in which aftercare is provided and people are monitored; this simply cannot be done in a van.

“Moreover, a prime location for a supervised centre has already been identified — the proposed integrated inclusion health hub for homeless people in Cork City.

“Co-locating a supervised injection facility with other inclusive healthcare services should be the objective of our health services.

“Work on that hub must begin now so that the design and planning phases can incorporate this essential service.

“If the minister continues to dither on a decision for Cork, this opportunity will be lost.”

Mr Rice said a safe injection facility would reduce drug use on the streets and in parks and decrease drug-based litter such as discarded needles.

“The safe injection facility in Dublin has been a huge success and a similar facility is urgently needed in Cork,” he said.

Ms Murnane O’Connor said: “Everything is being assessed. The evaluation of what is happening with drugs around the country is being looked at.

“We are assessing every opportunity here, working within the department, the HSE, and, as the deputy knows, our drugs task forces, which do huge work within our communities.”