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School To Get Legal Advice Over Opening Of Supervised Injection Centre

98FM
98FM

11:44 20 Feb 2018


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A primary school claims the HSE isn't considering children's safety, after a nearby group was chosen to run Dublin's first supervised injection centre.

Merchants Quay Ireland, a drug and homeless service, has been awarded the contract for 18 months on a trial basis.

However nearby St Audoen's primary school says they haven't been consulted, saying there are already problems with the current needle exchange in the area. 

In a statement, the school said it has "longstanding concerns" regarding the current needle exchange programme and the "already oversubscribed drug service".

The school believes plans to open a supervised injection centre "directly impacts our young students."

It says there has been no consultation, and believes there have been "multiple breaches" of childrens' rights to learn and play in a happy and safe space.

The Board of Management of St Audoen’s NS will be seeking legal advice with regard to Friday’s announcement.

Tony Geoghegan from Merchants Quay Ireland described the centre as a "positive step in taking a proactive and progressive approach to drug policy".

A family member of a person living in addiction explained that the centre will bring them "great peace of mind to know their son "will have the chance to meet with a professional" who "can listen to my son and offer the chance of real change".

Dr Eamon Keenan from the HSE's Addiction Services said he hopes the service will improve users' health and give them access to "a range of medical and social services, and contribute towards a reduction in drug related deaths.”

The HSE has said that specific structures will be put in place to ensure "comprehensive operational, clinical and supervisory governance arrangements."


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