Former Minister Criticizes Society’s Attitude Towards Heroin Users

By Olivia Kelleher

Former Minister of State for National Drugs Strategy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has expressed his concern over society’s lack of care towards heroin users, stating that cattle seem to receive more attention and care than those struggling with addiction.

Ó Ríordáin’s comments come in the wake of a tragic incident where at least 54 people in Dublin lost their lives due to heroin overdoses earlier this month.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to drug users, urging them to avoid purchasing new batches of the drug after it was discovered that samples associated with the recent spate of heroin overdoses had been adulterated with nitrazene drugs.

These synthetic opioids have been linked to fatal overdoses in Britain over the past two years.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Ó Ríordáin expressed his disappointment at the lack of concern society shows for the welfare of heroin users.

“I don’t get any real sense that society cares about these individuals,” he stated. “If 54 middle-class students were struck by a mysterious overdose from pills, I believe there would have been a greater push to address the issue. In fact, if 54 cattle had fallen ill with a mystery disease, the government would likely show more concern.”

Ó Ríordáin believes that society unfairly blames heroin users for their addiction, judging them by their appearance, language, and dress. He criticized the media and society for often ignoring the deaths of heroin users during his time as Minister for Drugs.

“When I held that position, there was a highly publicized case of a student who tragically overdosed on a pill. I was inundated with media inquiries about her, her future, and the devastation faced by her friends and family,” he recounted.

Simultaneously, two heroin users were found dead in the toilets at Connolly Station, yet there was no media interest or societal concern. Ó Ríordáin believes that the language used to describe drug users is stigmatizing and offensive, with terms like “junkie” being particularly loaded.

“This word is highly offensive to those who have drug users in their families,” he emphasized. “While certain offensive terms regarding the LGBT community, Travellers, migrants, or black Irish would never be used on the radio due to the potential consequences for one’s political career, the term ‘junkie’ is freely used in print and broadcast.”