Bar Council presents draft legislation for introduction of medically supervised injection units
Supervised injecting legislation
Draft legislation for the introduction of medically supervised injection units was presented to the Minister of State with the responsibility for Drugs Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD yesterday by the Bar Council of Ireland’s pro bono programme, the Voluntary Assistance Scheme (VAS).
Public drug use
Tony Duffin, Director, Ana Liffey Project said that it is hoped that the draft legislation presented to the Minister for Drugs today will enable him to move forward with an initiative which will provide much-needed support for some of the most vulnerable members of society:
“For people who use the Ana Liffey’s services, public drug use is often a daily occurrence.
Many are homeless or in unstable accommodation where they are asked to leave in the morning and return in the evening.
For them, injecting in public is the norm. And it’s good for no-one. Those doing it are further isolated from services and are at heightened risk of overdose. Coupled with that, there is a significant amount of unsafe disposal of drug paraphernalia, which is both unsightly and dangerous”
Policy response
According to Mr. Duffin, an MSIC could help address these issues: “MSICs are clinical, supervised spaces where people can inject their illegally obtained drugs and avail of social and medical supports. They are used in other cities around the world and their efficacy and cost effectiveness is well documented in the research literature. If we are going to have a policy response to drugs that is modern, realistic, and based on outcomes and value for money for the tax payer, MSICs need to be on the table. The problem is that they are illegal.”
Current legal framework
Operating an MSIC under the current legal framework in Ireland would contravene a number of laws.
To push the matter forward, in February 2014 the Ana Liffey Drug Project approached the Voluntary Assistance Scheme of the Bar Counsel of Ireland for their support to draft legislation that, if enacted, would allow for the existence of Medically Supervised Injecting Centres (MSIC) in Ireland.
That work has now been completed. For the Ana Liffey, the next hurdle is to see the draft bill considered by the Oireachtas.
Legal support
VAS Co-ordinator Diane Duggan BL said: "Central to the work of the Bar Council’s Voluntary Assistance Scheme is the absolute belief that every voice should be heard. Ana Liffey is but one example of a project in which the scheme has assisted- the scheme strives to empower organisations to make a difference through the law.
"The legislation has been drafted by a committee of seven experienced legal professionals who have expertise in legislative drafting, medico-legal issues and criminal law and the Minister can be confident that it has been subject to rigorous scrutiny'”
Tony Duffin said: “We’re very grateful for the work the Voluntary Assistance Scheme of the Bar Counsel of Ireland has done. It’s very generous of members of the Bar to give their time and expertise pro bono on a project like this. We couldn’t have done it without them."
Next steps
Speaking about the next steps Tony Duffin said: "Our next step is to get it through the Oireachtas. The current Minister, Aodhan O’Riordain TD, is very supportive, which is great. What’s also important is that our legislators, in general, are committed to protecting the health of our citizens in cost effective ways. As we face into the celebrations of 2016, it’s important that we are proactive in managing the problems drug use causes in our society. We need to be focused on what works, and MSICs, used as part of a broader response, do just that. Obviously, it is important that the organisation secure broad support for the Bill, and we will be continuing to meet with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds to push this matter forward.”
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