Drug addicts are still injecting in Dublin's back lanes after plans for a medically supervised facility were rejected by the city council.
In turning down the proposal for a centre on Merchants Quay, the council cited its potential affect on tourism and the local community.
But pictures obtained by the Irish Independent show that public drug use is already widespread in the area.
The photographs show that drug-taking equipment, such as syringes, cooking pots, foil, swabs and tourniquets, is being left in parks and streets and lanes by those caught in the grip of addiction.
Drug users say that they do not want to be using in open public spaces in full view of passers-by, but have little choice.
A drug user who asked to be called Ann, which is not her real name, spoke to the Irish Independent as she huddled in a laneway and two men helped her inject heroin.
She said: "I don't want to be here like this. There should be a place to go to do this."
Merchants Quay Ireland, which works with drug users, pointed out that objections to the facility were based on a drug problem that was already present in the area and openly on view.
Source: Conor Feehan, Irish Independent, 7th August 2019
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
