Drop in number of needle exchanges in midlands last year

There was a drop in the number of needle exchanges facilitated by Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) in the Midlands last year, although there were still over 250 exchanges per month facilitated.
MQI published its annual report last week, revealing that 257 needle exchanges per month facilitated last year, compared to 289 in 2012, representing a drop of 11%. The needle exchanges were operated in close partnership with the pharmacy needle exchange scheme.
Last year in the midlands MQI’s harm reduction service worked with 263 clients, providing 2,975 harm reduction interventions. Some 24 outreach clients from the region entered residential treatment last year.
MQI also offers family support services and last year the family support project supported 114 people, provided 771 support phone calls and facilitated 230 family support groups and 762 one to one sessions.
A rehabilitation and aftercare service was established in 2010, with the support of the Midlands Regional Drugs Task Force, and last year this service worked with 43 people. There were 555 one to one sessions and 58 groups facilitated last year.
MQI also operates the Open Door Centre in Athlone, which provides a range of services for drug users in Athlone, including a drop in centre offering hospitality and crisis support, vocational training initiatives and support towards rehabilitation and reintegration. There was a 20% increase in the number of people engaging with the service last year, while visits to the centre were up by 25%.