A pharmacy-based needle exchange service for drug users in the south east is to be provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE), but its location has yet to be disclosed.
With speculation widely suggesting that such a facility will be opened in Waterford, the provision of a local needle exchange will be seen a positive development in the frontline treatment of addicts.
“A needle exchange service in the south east, irrespective of where it would be located, would represent a positive and necessary development,” according to Fianna Fáil City Councillor Gary Wyse.
“Hopefully, in time, such an addition to the region’s treatment of users would help addicts to wean themselves off drugs such as heroin and eventually lead to their entering rehabilitation programmes, which would restore hope to the lives of users and their families.”
