Drug users will be able to avail of supervised injecting rooms as part of the new Misuse of Drugs Bill in 2016. National Drugs Strategy Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin today announced the radical changes in Irish drug policy during his keynote speech London School of Economics IDEAS Forum. Speaking to the Irish Times ahead of the address, he noted that the injection rooms, which will open in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick "will happen next year”.

Great discussion with @nick_clegg on advancing the international case for drug #decriminalisation. @labour pic.twitter.com/zLLSBuqyav

— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (@AodhanORiordain) November 2, 2015

He said: “I am firmly of the view that there needs to be a cultural shift in how we regard substance misuse if we are to break this cycle and make a serious attempt to tackle drug and alcohol addiction." The Minister emphasised that drug addiction should be removed from the criminal justice system within reason and that compassion needs to be brought to the issue. He added that “every city is different, every drug-using population is different, so different locations will have different needs.”

Early morning flight to London for @lseideas address on drug policy & also meeting with @nick_clegg at Westminister. pic.twitter.com/zJvaQbJRCM — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (@AodhanORiordain) November 2, 2015

Rejecting the idea that the injecting rooms could turn into a "free-for-all", the Minister explained: “These are clinically controlled environments which aim to engage hard-to-reach populations” “Research has shown that the use of supervised injecting centres is associated with self-reported reductions in injecting risk behaviours.” The Misuse of Drugs Bill is currently being drawn up and is set to be enacted early next year.