Good thing or bad...

porte

The Government has given the green light to 'medically supervised' injection centres for drug users in Dublin.

Stigura

Who is the government, these days? I haven't caught up yet.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

When did they do this? They're kind of hung up at the moment.

Lights On

Great news if true, and shouldn't have taken this long for them to be brought in in the first place anyway. Either give them somewhere safe they can do it or it'll be in public bathrooms, alleyways and needles left in the open for anyone to jab themselves with.

drunkmonkey

About 20 years late but a very very small step in the right direction. Hope Aodhán got re-elected as he has a lot more to do.

charlietheminxx

Do we even have a government right now?

porte

Remy Shrilling Hardwood wrote: »

When did they do this? They're kind of hung up at the moment.

The Legislation got the green light in December 2015.

222233

Interesting, wonder how they will willingly staff such a place... Cant imagine that being a very nice/easy job..

porte

222233 wrote: »

Interesting, wonder how they will willingly staff such a place... Cant imagine that being a very nice/easy job..

staff in the centres cannot help addicts inject but will supervise them and offer advice on how to recover from addiction.

222233

porte wrote: »

staff in the centres cannot help addicts inject but will supervise them and offer advice on how to recover from addiction.

Irrespective of that would you feel safe in such a work environment? I think that very much violates health and safety standards, in comparison to toxic waste control etc in a hospital

Fleawuss

222233 wrote: »

Irrespective of that would you feel safe in such a work environment? I think that very much violates health and safety standards, in comparison to toxic waste control etc in a hospital

Perhaps those who find the thought overwhelming could work in an empty library dusting one shelf of books at the correct height. In a permanent pensionable and politically correct manner. Of course. More tea vicar?

porte

222233 wrote: »

I am just pointing out that every restriction possible in in place elsewhere yet here we are opening a centre which condones self medication with illegal drugs. I think the idea itself is fantastic, I'm just unsure as to how they can staff such a place.

I think the word your looking for is SAFE medication with illegal drugs.!

222233

porte wrote: »

I think the word your looking for is SAFE medication with illegal drugs.!

Is there such a thing, an untrained person injecting themselves with a drug containing god only knows what, who is responsible for the addicts in the centres, the staff?

Just my opinion btw I think the idea itself is great, but I just would have certain reservations about it.

porte

222233 wrote: »

Is there such a thing, an untrained person injecting themselves with a drug containing god only knows what, who is responsible for the addicts in the centres, the staff?

Just my opinion btw I think the idea itself is great, but I just would have certain reservations about it.

They will be supervised by trained nurse's and doctor's. Your opinion is a valid one.

222233

porte wrote: »

They will be supervised by trained nurse's and doctor's. Your opinion is a valid one.

I'm imagining this will cost a fortune, if it works.. great! I'm not sure though how professionals will be able to assist with "Safe" drug usage as they won't be sourcing the drugs themselves, and therefore won't know the potency or safe dosage amounts. (I'm going to hazard a guess and say there is no such thing as a safe dose of heroin)

222233

Just to point out too as one poster mentioned " staff will advise users on how to recover from addiction ", would providing such a structure and facility not be counter productive in encouraging people to recover?

porte

222233 wrote: »

I'm imagining this will cost a fortune, if it works.. great! I'm not sure though how professionals will be able to assist with "Safe" drug usage as they won't be sourcing the drugs themselves, and therefore won't know the potency or safe dosage amounts. (I'm going to hazard a guess and say there is no such thing as a safe dose of heroin)

I think the whole concept is to offer a safe environment to inject /smoke drugs with trained staff supervision just in case of an overdose. There needles will be new and disposed of correctly reducing the risks of HIV or Hepatitis C.

gctest50

222233 wrote: »

I'm imagining this will cost a fortune, if it works.. great! I'm not sure though how professionals will be able to assist with "Safe" drug usage as they won't be sourcing the drugs themselves, and therefore won't know the potency or safe dosage amounts. (I'm going to hazard a guess and say there is no such thing as a safe dose of heroin)

here ya go :

The dose should be suited to the individual patient.
Adults:
Acute pain, 5 mg repeated every four hours if necessary (up to 10 mg for heavier, well muscled patients) by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. By slow intravenous injection, one quarter to one half the corresponding intramuscular dose.
Chronic pain, 5-10 mg regularly every four hours by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The dose may be increased according to individual needs.
Myocardial infarction, 5 mg by slow intravenous injection (1 mg/minute) followed by a further 2.5 mg to 5 mg if necessary.
Acute pulmonary oedema, 2.5 mg to 5 mg by slow intravenous injection (1mg/minute).
If breakthrough pain occurs give a subcutaneous (preferable) or intramuscular injection of diamorphine equivalent to one-sixth of the total 24-hour subcutaneous infusion dose. It is kinder to give an intermittent bolus injection subcutaneously—absorption is smoother

gctest50

Home Office says every £1 spent on drug treatment saves £3 in less crime

Erin O'Mara is a bright, bubbly magazine editor - hardly the stereotype of someone who injects heroin four times a day

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3592877.stm

Your Face

If it helps, great.

ceecee14

We will be assisted in shooting up heroin, but arrested for smoking weed.

222233

porte wrote: »

I think the whole concept is to offer a safe environment to inject /smoke drugs with trained staff supervision just in case of an overdose. There needles will be new and disposed of correctly reducing the risks of HIV or Hepatitis C.

But who is responsible for disposing of the needles? Equipment used in cases of HEP C and HIV is incinerated as far as I know.

I really do hope these centres take people off the streets.

Ice Maiden

Fleawuss wrote: »

Perhaps those who find the thought overwhelming could work in an empty library dusting one shelf of books at the correct height. In a permanent pensionable and politically correct manner. Of course. More tea vicar?

Yep, could be only one or the other.

Fr_Dougal

gctest50 wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3592877.stm

She doesn't look 'bright and bubbly", looks like a junkie, sounds strung out.

Joe prim

Considering someone is currently suing the National Parks Service because they slipped on a boardwalk, can't wait until a government shooting gallery "customer" consults his/her brief because he/she got a bad buzz while on the premises.

chrissb8

As someone who works in city centre it's a great idea. Finally somewhere where people can inject safely. Who knows a supportive environment with just a "I need help" can be answered with care and understanding from staff will go along way.

colossus-x

222233 wrote: »

Is there such a thing, an untrained person injecting themselves with a drug containing god only knows what, who is responsible for the addicts in the centres, the staff?

Just my opinion btw I think the idea itself is great, but I just would have certain reservations about it.

I would have though they druggies would be quite skilled at injecting themselves by now. The hygiene and sanitation issue would of course be taken care of by the center staff, it's that what it's partially for anyway.

222233

colossus-x wrote: »

I would have though they druggies would be quite skilled at injecting themselves by now. The hygiene and sanitation issue would of course be taken care of by the center staff, it's that what it's partially for anyway.

Indeed however - the fact that professionals are responsible in hospitals for the insertion and removal of needles in most cases greatly helps to ensure safe and correct disposal and I assume minimises the risk of needle stick injuries. In cases of HEP C and HIV as far as I know ALL equipment, gloves etc is incinerated.

The question I would raise is that yes it is a safe place for addicts but will it be safe for the staff?

Take the hypothetical situation that someone needs to be resuscitated, as a nurse can I guarantee that the needle used was properly disposed of by the user and that it is safe for me to kneel down and tend to the patient?

gctest50

222233 wrote: »

.........

Take the hypothetical situation that someone needs to be resuscitated, as a nurse can I guarantee that the needle used was properly disposed of by the user and that it is safe for me to kneel down and tend to the patient?

dunno ask Street Nurses how they get on

http://i.imgur.com/PZyN86i.jpg

All My Stars Aligned

The idea of Medically Supervised Injecting Centers is not new, they are currently in use in 8 (I think) other countries in Europe. I think France was the last to roll them out. They are also used as part of the drug strategies in other countries throughout the world.

Here in Ireland it was the Ana Liffey Drug Project that lobbied for there introduction, ALDP runs a dropping center for Dublin's drug using population offering nursing, doctor, counseling services to name but a few. They have been providing this service since the late 80's.

It is now well proven that MSIC's have a highly positive impact for both the city and the addicted individual.

For the city, the amount of drug paraphernalia left lying around the streets is greatly reduced as are instances of public injecting. AFAIK, the proposed MSIC has the general support of the city's business community.

As for those in addiction. Aside from the obvious advantages of having a safe, clean environment that is supervised by medically trained staff such centers greatly reduce the spread of HEP C & HIV. To my mind one massive benefit is that it links the addict in with those that can work with them in dealing with their addiction.

In an ideal world these centers would not be needed but the reality is that there is a massive drugs issue in Ireland. Rather then criminalizing those in addiction all indications are that far better results will be achieved by trying to link these individuals in with support services.

I am not one for dishing out praise to our positions but I understand that Dr. Leo played an important part in push this through.

Good thing BTW

Potential-Monke

ceecee14 wrote: »

We will be assisted in shooting up heroin, but arrested for smoking weed.

I believe that the decriminalization of weed is coming this year too, so you won't get arrested for smoking it, only for selling or supplying. However, having a large amount on you will still get you arrested. Moral of the story; don't carry more than a 50 bag on you.

ceecee14

Potential-Monke wrote:

I believe that the decriminalization of weed is coming this year too, so you won't get arrested for smoking it, only for selling or supplying. However, having a large amount on you will still get you arrested. Moral of the story; don't carry more than a 50 bag on you.

I don't even smoke the stuff, but people getting a conviction and fine of 500+ for 10 euros worth of it. I doubt very much it will happen this year, or any time soon. Wasn't it discussed in the dail 2 years ago and very few supported it?

I'm surprised it wasn't used in the election as I'm sure young people would vote for a party that would free the weed