A used needle in a pool of blood on Lotts Lane, Dublin 1.

A used needle in a pool of blood on Lotts Lane, Dublin 1.

THE ANA LIFFEY Drug Project has called for a junior minister who is solely focused on tackling Ireland’s drug problem to be appointed.

The organisation has welcomed the inclusion of support for a “health-led rather than criminal justice approach to drugs use including legislating for injection rooms” within the new Programme for Government.

However, Tony Duffin, the project’s director, said more “political leadership” is needed to reduce the number of people becoming addicted or dying in drug-related deaths.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is set to reveal the new junior ministers this week. Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin was the Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and the Drugs Strategy in the last government.

We want to know: Should there be a minister solely focused on tackling Ireland’s drug problem?

