To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has given any consideration to establishing overdose prevention facilities.

My Department leads on the Executive’s substance use strategy Preventing Harm, Empowering Recovery which recognises the need to target those most at risk, including those who are homeless, people who inject drugs and those who are in contact with the justice system. This strategy aims to directly reduce the harm for these groups through actions that place emphasis on harm reduction support measures for people who use alcohol and other drugs.

There are no proposals in the strategy on Overdose Prevention Facilities. The issue of criminal sanctions for those found in possession of drugs is an issue that is frequently raised with this type of facility, hence any such intervention would also require a wider assessment of the legal position and be cross-cutting in nature. However, I am aware of the pilot sites that have just opened in Glasgow and Dublin, and my Department will closely watch the development and evaluation of these pilots to assess their potential effectiveness.

In the meantime, it is important to note that there is currently a full range of services available for those who require help and support with substance use issues, and for their families. A directory of services available in each Trust area across Northern Ireland is available online at: https://drugsandalcoholni.info/self-help-resources/.