Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Drugs Problem.

Tony Gregory

Question:

117 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if the cause of the recent deaths of at least seven heroin addicts has been established; if there have been any further similar deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15870/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

A European wide alert in relation to admission to hospitals in Glasgow of 20 injecting drug users in the two weeks ending 15 May was issued through the National Disease Surveillance Centre in Dublin to the departments of public health in health boards. Nine of the 20 people died and others were admitted to intensive care units. The illnesses that were caused appeared to be related to injecting heroin into tissues which caused severe damage, with a rapid deterioration in health over a number of days, which developed into a septic shock syndrome.

The Eastern Regional Health Authority passed the information on to the chief executives of A & E hospitals, for the attention of all staff and to GPs. Staff are being asked to report back to the area health boards with any relevant information. In addition, notices have gone out to all drug treatment clinics, health centres, GPs and the general public advising drug users of the need for extreme care and vigilance as there may be contaminated heroin in circulation. A freephone helpline, operating 24 hours, seven days per week has been set up offering advice to heroin misusers and information and referral to treatment centres. The ERHA is also advising drug users who notice an adverse reaction to immediately seek help.

Since the middle of April 2000 15 injecting heroin users have been confirmed with illnesses which meet the case definition of injecting drug user with evidence of a severe inflammatory process. Of the 15 cases eight have died. Four of the 15 cases and two of those who died are women. The ERHA is working closely with the authorities in Glasgow, the National Disease Surveillance Centre and the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta to isolate and identify the exact cause of the illness but to date no definite cause has been established.

The three area health boards are expanding their services to meet the increased demand for such services. This includes the placement of additional outreach workers in high risk areas and increased treatment capacity at a number of locations including James's Street, Crumlin, and Finglas.