“This is an extremely worrying situation.”
Drug paraphernalia at Writer’s Square off North Street in Belfast City Centre
A councillor has called for an urgent response from all relevant agencies after four drug overdoses occurred within five days on the streets of Belfast.
Independent councillor Paul McCusker, who also founded The People’s Kitchen homeless outreach charity, said all four incidents required an emergency response from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and hospital treatment.
However, he said it is particularly concerning that naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, did not appear to be effective in some of these cases, raising fears about the substances currently circulating in the city.
Cllr McCusker said: “This is an extremely worrying situation. To see four overdoses in such a short space of time is deeply concerning, particularly given that in some instances Naloxone did not have the expected effect. This raises serious questions about the substances currently being used and the risks they pose.”
He has also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding housing pressures in the city, with many vulnerable individuals spending their days on the streets without certainty of accommodation for the night ahead.
“I continue to raise concerns with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive regarding the urgent need for suitable temporary accommodation. Too many individuals are left in limbo, placed on ‘continue to search’ lists, and facing uncertainty about where they will sleep each night,” the councillor added.
Cllr McCusker has further warned that drug use and street activity have significantly increased across Belfast city centre, exacerbating risks to both vulnerable individuals and the wider community.
He is now calling for an urgent, coordinated response from all relevant agencies, including health services and statutory partners, to address the current escalation and provide immediate support.
Cllr McCusker said drug dealing in the city continues to have “a significant impact on daily life” for families and residents “who live in fear and do not feel safe in their communities.
He added: “Throughout Belfast many individuals are left terrified and the police are no longer able to keep the community safe, we have lost the war on drugs.
“The lack of early intervention for those struggling, no access to immediate suport such as counselling and detox facilities is creating the perfect storm I highlighted many years ago.
“We no longer need anymore meetings to discuss the issues, we know what they are, we need to see meaningful change and serious action. Every drug related death is preventable, sadly its not a priority for our goverment.”
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