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IRELAND NEEDS TO prepare itself for an increase in the use of fentanyl and other powerful drugs if there is a heroin shortage next year, the head of an addiction charity has warned.
A heroin shortage is expected across Europe in 2024 following a ban on poppy cultivation by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The vast majority of heroin consumed in Europe – about 95% – comes from Afghanistan.
Tony Duffin, CEO at Ana Liffey Drug Project, which provides harm reduction services to drug users and their families, said Ireland needs to prepare itself for an increase in the use of fentanyl or other highly addictive drugs.
In an interview with The Journal, Duffin said “something is going to happen” and Ireland needs to be ready.
“The opium crop is being destroyed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, meaning that something is going to happen. If you destroy 95% of Europe’s supply, then something has to happen, and we need to be ready.
“Fentanyl could be the issue. It could be xylazine which is another drug that they certainly have seen in the UK more recently which isn’t an opiate, which Naloxone won’t work with, but it is part of the overdose deaths problem in the US.”
Naloxone, which is widely accessible in Ireland, is a prescription medication used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and methadone.
Xylazine is a powerful sedative typically used in animal surgeries; naloxone cannot reverse its effects.
Duffin said relevant stakeholders in Ireland “need to really closely monitor what’s going on”.
“We need to speak to people about what’s going on, monitor what’s going on in terms of overdose deaths, look for new trends, test drugs – all these things that we do some of, but we need to do more of.”
Duffin said there is already “great collaboration” between groups like Ana Liffey and the HSE, An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service, “but there’s always more that can be done”.
“Ana Liffey is one agency. If you’re looking at it from a macro perspective, from a Government perspective, it’s about all of the agencies increasingly working together.”
The Journal recently reported that the HSE, gardaí and other organisations are working behind the scenes in preparation for fentanyl use becoming more prevalent in Ireland.
Last year the Taliban banned poppy cultivation but the 2022 crop was exempted, meaning the effect of the ban likely won’t be felt in Europe until next year.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is about 50 times more potent than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine. The drug is not currently widely used in Ireland but experts fear its use could become more widespread if there is a heroin shortage.
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl. The former is prescribed widely as pain relief medication in the US.
Fentanyl and xylazine can both be injected, snorted, smoked, or taken orally via a pill. Tens of thousands of people in the US have died from fentanyl overdoses.
Overdose deaths involving xylazine are less common, but concerns over the drug have increased in recent years.
In countries such as the US, it is not uncommon for street drugs to be laced with fentanyl or xylazine without the user realising what they are consuming.
Earlier this year, the first death related to xylazine was reported in the UK.
Citizens’ Assembly
The Ana Liffey Drug Project yesterday launched its Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2029.
Duffin said the plan is “a commitment to those we serve and those we collaborate with”.
“We’re refining our identity, enhancing our systems, and putting our service users at the forefront of everything we do,” he added.
This morning we launched @AnaLiffey’s strategic plan. For over 40 years they have been working hard, responding to the burgeoning problem of drug use. The boundless energy of the team members, across the organisation, all focussed on helping the people they serve is inspiring🙏 pic.twitter.com/SKiG9qtnHk
— Hildegarde Naughton (@1Hildegarde) November 8, 2023
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use last month recommended that the State should take a comprehensive health-led policy response to dealing with people who are in possession of drugs for personal use, rather than a criminal approach.
The assembly vote on the approach to dealing with people found in possession of cannabis was the tightest – 39 people opted for a health-led approach on the final count, and 38 opted for legalisation and regulation.
Duffin said the assembly’s recommendations are “very progressive” but also “achievable”.
If the recommendations are accepted by the Government, Duffin said “the true test will be in their implementation”
This will require political will, adequate funding, stakeholder engagement, and continuous evaluation and adaptation.
Duffin noted that drug use is “a contentious issue”, but said previous assemblies on other controversial topics have “worked well”.
“It would be unfortunate if the Government didn’t take the recommendations on board, and implement at least some of them,” he said.
Duffin noted that other jurisdictions have regulated and controlled cannabis “in many different ways”.
“Ireland needs to consider what it’s going to do in the future. I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon.
But 10 years from now – when other jurisdictions have had different experiences and different evidence to show us – maybe we will.
Speaking at the launch, Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, said the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use was “a really, really pivotal moment for us”.
“This is the first time that we’ve truly had an open and honest conversation about drug use, and how it impacts on the wellbeing of people directly affected by substance abuse issues, but also their loved ones, their communities and society as a whole.
“And this is a long overdue conversation that is happening at the moment.”
Naughton said the Government will consider all of the assembly’s recommendations in detail.
She thanked Ana Liffey for its work on the frontline, saying its strategic plan is based on “extensive community involvement” and incorporates feedback from service users.
“The strategy is reflective of the voice of that community through its renewed focus on outreach, low-threshold interventions, advocacy, research and trends,” she added.
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Not shocking anymore. Kind of half expect this sort of stuff now.
What is it with this man and “conflicts of interests” ?
Nothing to see here move along now !!
Ah lads , cronyism in ireland ? NEVER !!
Of course he denies a conflict of interest. When did you ever read, “Minister admits conflict of interest.”
O’Reilly would deny today is Friday. He cant even lay in bed straight at this stage.
From a guy who pushed two primary care sites in his own constituency up the list of potential sites…still waiting on the criteria you used Stroker!
Then what exactly is it then? Walks like a duck…etc
Welcome to Ireland,probably the most corrupt country in Europe
Hands up who is shocked or surprised by this. …….
Richie rodgers
We’ll get there stroke by stroke.
Reilly involved again no surprise there to be honest.
Shattergate mark2 ….Reilly on the inside track…….FG/Lab even more corrupt than FF, there is a scary reality…..Resign James you have your money made…..
How come the 20,000 commission was so low? The going rate for a report like this was 125,000 in 2011 and the Health Partnership is not a charity!
Women of Ireland, come together and let us al put a stop to this madness, I’d like to c a man in the full throws of labour, having to face a 2 hr car journey. On lovely pot-holed roads!!!
If he appointed someone from outside the area, the complaint would be that they didn’t understand the area.
If he appointed someone without the medical knowledge, the complaint would be that someone who didn’t understand medical provision was making the decisions
If he appoints someone from inside the area with the right medical background, the complaint is that there’s a conflict of interest.
I wish people would state who they think should be appointed, because almost every decision can have some line of attack.
Kinda sums up JR. Anyway after the reshuffle it will be someone else’s problem.
How many absolute effin’ outrages are we, as a nation, prepared to put up with? This Minister and his shady pals should be run out of the country, let alone sacked.
And deny being in denial
How come this commission was 6 times less than the going rate for the job? A bargain at 20,000! Such reports cost 125,000 in 2011.
The Journal got it wrong! The Health Partnership predates 2008! in March 2005 the company wrote to the Dept of Finance highlighting their role in private health care ventures in Ireland, UK, Portugal and Germany and suggesting tax incentives for private sector players in e.g. direct service provision, the supply of high tech equipment, patient and staff accommodation, primary care provision, nursing home care, etc. Even hospital traffic management got a look in. Hard to believe no one in the West/North-West hospital group knew of Mr Daly’s involvement with this high profile healthcare company.
Why would anyone be surprised with this ruling class carryon, and they wonder why people voted for the left
The main conflict of interest here is the fact tgat Noel Daly wrote to revenue in 2005 with what could be described as a bluepriting which would see private interests profiting from tge removal of public services. In that letter it mentions how the private sector could provide accomodation for people who due to clousure of public services would have to travek greater distances.
Over 6 years later tgis man is appointed chair of a hospital group. In the space of little over a year his company is given the task of reviewing maternitu in the same region. This report is said to recommend many clousures.
Given all this histiry I cannot see how this review can hold any authority. Or indeed how anyone in this countru could trust its recommendations.
In fact this review ihas been damaged beyond repair. Hiwever it should be made available to the public.
Luje Ming Flaagan spoje about concerns that gospital staff had about how tgis revuew was completed. Perhaps he should come back to this important debate in Irish healthcare before he leaves fir Europe.
Reilly people dont believe a word from your lying mouth!
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