AJGalway wrote: » It has come to my attention that there is and will continue to be a growing Heroin problem in our small city that is Galway. I would like to start this thread as a platform for us Galwegians to discuss and report such activity that is Obviously ongoing in the city center.
Das Kitty wrote: » To what end, OP? I genuinely don't know what a thread like that would achieve.
rarnes1 wrote: » Supposed to be very rampant in the city alright.
pleasant Co. wrote: » I'm sorry, just what exactly is the point of this thread? What do you want to discuss? What to you want to report and where do you intend on reporting it?
todders wrote: » Agree op, Some people can't spell heroin correctly..it's a real problem..
WallyGUFC wrote: » Been like that for the past few years. The users are usually very recognisable. I believe the castle on the Dyke Road is a popular spot for them to shoot up.
AJGalway wrote: » We all know what type of problems happen when things get out of hand, just look at the state of Dublin. It hasn't been this bad in years. Spreading awareness and acknowledging the fact that the problem is growing can help. I know that the toilets in Eyre Square is notorious for it. I've watched them come and go throughout the day.
Das Kitty wrote: » How can it help?
renegademaster wrote: » I met this extremely knowledgeable and approachable Portuguese dude at a students for sensible drug use talk in NUIG, and what he had to say was very sensible to say the leasthttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/03/17/lowering-the-deadly-cost-of-drug-abuse/decriminalizing-possession-of-all-illicit-drugs João Castel-Branco Goulão is Portugal’s national drug coordinator and the chairman of the European Monitoring Center on Drugs and Drug Addiction. March 17, 2014 The overthrow of Portugal’s military dictatorship 40 years ago brought liberation after decades of repression. But along with political freedom and self expression, came another import from the free world that our citizens had long been denied, drugs. With little experience of their dangers, addiction and social problems soared. Soon the rates of abuse and overdose were staggering. Portugal deals with drug abusers outside of court, making treatment a priority. We responded with a drastic measure. In 2000, Portugal decriminalized the use of all illicit drugs, and developed new policies on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and reinsertion. Drug use is no longer a crime, but it is still prohibited. Possession of what a person would use in 10 days or less is no longer a matter for the courts. Users are referred to Commissions for Drug Addiction Dissuasion, which educate them, discourage them from consuming drugs and help them find treatment. The idea behind the new law is that drug addiction must be addressed as a health or social condition. While critics of the law warned that drug use would swell, it has not risen. We have seen significant reductions in H.I.V. infections and in overdoses, as well as a substantial increase in new patients seeking drug treatment. Much of this reduction in the harm suffered by drug users, I believe, is due to the commissions' outreach, treatment programs and measures to protect users' health. Police and customs authorities continue to suppress trafficking, but they now have added resources that were once allocated to pursuing users. SIMPLES!!
catallus wrote: » Why would there be a "substantial increase" in those seeking drug treatment if the numbers of drug users/drug use "has not risen"?
Das Kitty wrote: » Because people who were afraid to seek treatment for fear of prosecution finally did?
catallus wrote: » Would a more obvious answer be that more people are using?
WallyGUFC wrote: » If you think this country will ever legalise illicit drugs (the same country which is introducing minimum pricing on alcohol and plain cigarette packets) you're sorely mistaken.
Das Kitty wrote: » I actually wasnt guessing. I shouldn't have used the question mark. It's a fact that fear of prosecution prevents addicts from seeking help.
Despite the downward trend observed during 2002–06, the most recent ESPAD study corroborates the findings of the HBSC study, showing an increase in consumption of illicit substances since 2006.
_Whimsical_ wrote: » I've heard that there's a dramatic increase in heroin use in the city and read in the paper that on a Sunday afternoon before Christmas that there were people shooting up in public on a Sunday afternoon while families out for walks strolled past. I've never heard anyone I know talking about it as a problem or encountering anything to do with it. Are there people here who are seeing it or encountering it regularly? Are there areas where it's an obvious problem now?
stampydmonkey wrote: » .a few kids in Dublin have been nicked on the Luas and Dart....
Mrs OBumble wrote: » Has anyone provided a safe place for junkies to dispose of their needles?
inisboffin wrote: » Where did you get this statistic? I'm kind of surprised that it's been children (multiple?) getting nicked on the Luas and Dart. I would have assumed that kids are way more likely to come in contact with used needles in places like waste grounds etc when playing. And was it only kids that got 'nicked' by needles on public transport, or a mix of adults too?
Lapin wrote: » There was a recent case.http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/horror-as-little-boy-jabbed-by-syringe-needle-on-city-bus-30912613.html
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