Activist group Crainn has warned that “contaminated supply will continue to tear through all communities” unless radical reform is implemented following two separate instances of contaminated drugs in Ireland over recent days.
On Monday it emerged that over 50 per cent of cannabis jellies tested by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) last year did not contain cannabis as advertised instead containing deadly synthetic drugs.
On Thursday, the HSE issued an urgent warning after multiple overdoses which led to hospitalisations were reported in Dublin as a result of a "bad batch" of heroin. The HSE say they are continuing to monitor the situation in Dublin City.
Crainn, an Irish organisation that aims to educate the public and policymakers on sensible drug policy solutions which promote safety and harm reduction, has suggested these stories, in such a short space of time, highlight the “abject failure that is Ireland's current drug policy”.
READ MORE: Half of cannabis jellies contain deadly synthetic drug, state forensic agency warns
A spokesperson for Crainn said in a statement regarding contaminated supply: “In the past week, we have learned that not only 50 per cent of edible 'cannabis jellies' tested by authorities have been contaminated with largely unknown synthetic compounds, and contain no THC but that a bad batch of allegedly contaminated heroin has hit the streets of Dublin, causing unprecedented numbers of overdose in the course of a single day.
“Both stories emerged within days of one another and highlight again the abject failure that is Ireland's current drug policy.
“This crisis needs a dramatic and robust response that will save lives and be resilient against the fluctuations of an illicit drug market.
“Under prohibition and criminalisation, we will always be behind these emerging trends. We are seeing the consequences of this right now.
“Two measures could have prevented both of these issues: Legal, regulated sales alongside safe consumption facilities.
“Current drug policy is affecting all drug users, and until a radical reform is implemented, contaminated supply will continue to tear through all communities.” The group added that "Prohibition kills."
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