Safer injection facilities would have a ‘better impact’ on issues
THE introduction of safer injecting facilities would have “a better impact” on issues with discarded drug paraphernalia in a section of Sean Walsh Park, according to the HSE.
As reported in The Echo last week, there are persistent issues with drug use and drug-related litter in a walkway in Sean Walsh Park, known locally as Little Vietnam, that’s adjacent to Firhouse Road West.
The walkway is secluded as a result of being surrounded by trees and shrubbery, and it had become littered with drug paraphernalia, including used syringes, in recent weeks.
The Echo contacted local addiction services through the HSE to ascertain if they were aware of the issues at this site, and what action could be taken.
In a response issued to The Echo this week, the HSE confirmed that local addiction services are aware of the issues in Sean Walsh Park and that they encourage drug users to avail of needle exchanges instead of littering.
“All services are reiterating the importance of returning used equipment to services providing needle exchanges,” the spokesperson explained.
“The issue of drug related litter is not unique to this area. Unfortunately, people who use drugs don’t always dispose of equipment properly and, where areas exist which are hidden from the public eye, drug-related litter will accumulate.”
There are a number of needle exchanges in Tallaght, both mobile and in fixed locations, which are provided by the Community Addiction Response Programme (CARP) in Killinarden, St Aengus Community Action Group CLG and Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency (JADD).
When asked if there is a need for more needle exchanges in the area to combat the issue with drug-related litter, the spokesperson said that safe injecting facilities could potentially alleviate the issue.
“There is always a need for more needle exchanges, however this does not necessarily stop drug-related litter,” the spokesperson said.
“Perhaps the introduction of safer injecting facilities would have a better impact on this issue, along with the more important impacts which safer injecting facilities would provide i.e., reduction in blood borne viruses, reduction in overdose, access to clean environment, access to support for other health issues to name but a few.”
The spokesperson reiterated that local addiction services will continue to highlight the importance of the safe disposal of drug paraphernalia.
“Currently addiction service providers are communicating to people using services the importance of safe disposal of used equipment and this will continue,” they said.
South Dublin County Council previously told The Echo that a thorough clean-up of the affected area had been arranged, while a garda spokesperson said they were aware of issues at that location and they encouraged people affected by anti-social behaviour to contact them.
