There would have to be legislative change for such a venue to open
There have been renewed calls for a drug consumption room in Belfast as a local councillor says the situation in the city centre is “continuing to deteriorate.”
Overdose prevention facilities – often referred to as drug consumption rooms – are supervised facilities where individuals can safely consume drugs under supervision of trained staff who can intervene to prevent overdose.
Sharing a video from the streets of Belfast this week, showing discarded drug paraphernalia littered in the city centre, Independent councillor Paul McCusker said it shows why such a venue is needed.
He said: “If this does not highlight that we urgently need a drug comsumption room for Belfast I don’t know what will, this video was recorded today in the City Centre.
“Six years ago I brought a motion to Belfast City Council that was suported by all parties to ask for a dedicated drug task force and to support a drug consumption room, what has happened since then? Nothing!
“Intrevenous drug use has significantly increased as well as the risks of bloodborne viruses and the risk to the user and the public. Users often having to find isolated areas putting them at further risk of overdose and death.
“We know the situation is continuing to deteriorate, the lack of policital direction and agencies playing the situation down is contributing to the perfect storm that I have raised for years. Belfast has a serious drug problem and the ignorance politically along with statutory agencies is putting lives at risk every day. Wake Up & listen!”
No drug consumption rooms currently exist in Northern Ireland, and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has the effect of prohibiting such a facility from operating as those operating the premises would be at risk of prosecution. In order for an overdose prevention facility to be operated lawfully, there would have to be legislative change.
Northern Ireland has the second highest rate of drugs-related deaths in the UK, that is 11.5 per 100,000 people, which is just behind Scotland.
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