HSE gives warning to drug users about heroin clusters

THREE reports of overdoses were reported to Jobstown-based drug project JADD over the course of three days last week, as the HSE has issued a warning about heroin overdose clusters.

In a statement published last Friday, the HSE advised that a nitazene type substance – which is a type of synthetic opioid – had been identified in a brown powder associated with a Dublin overdose.

Tommy Gilson, the manager of JADD, said he’d been made aware of three overdoses in the Tallaght area from Wednesday to Friday last week.

“We’ve received three reports of overdoses locally,” he told The Echo. “We’ve extended our services and we’re providing [overdose reversal drug] naloxone and are asking people to be careful.

“The risk is high. I can’t remember a period of time where we had three overdoses in 60 hours.”

Mr Gilson offered some advice to drug users to keep themselves safe as testing of the batches that are linked to the overdoses continue.

“Sometimes people have a fear of calling an ambulance if someone has overdosed because they’re scared the police will come, but they shouldn’t fear making that call,” he said.

“And we also want people to use together and not take substances alone in case they do overdose.”

He added that JADD has trained 16 service users in the use of naloxone and, if anyone else is interested in receiving this training, they can call JADD on (01) 459 7756.

The HSE advises that there is extra risk at this time and strongly recommends people do not try new types of drugs or new batches being sold on the market.

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, said: “We are urging extreme caution following a sharp rise in the number of overdoses related to a powder being sold as heroin in the Dublin region.

“Preliminary laboratory analysis has confirmed that recent overdoses may be caused by heroin mixed with nitazene, a potent and dangerous synthetic opioid.

“These pose a substantial risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.”

The HSE has noted that naloxone is available free from every Dublin Addiction Service.

Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opiate-type drugs like heroin, keeping the person alive until emergency services arrive.

The HSE asks people who use drugs to follow harm-reduction steps, which can help reduce the harm if they are using substances.