Sir, – I am writing in response to Jade Wilson's article "Demand for addiction services in midwest almost doubled in 2020" (November 1st).
I’d like to first extend my gratitude to the outreach workers and harm reductionists reaching people who use drugs and offering services that meet their current wants and needs.
I have worked in addiction research in the United States and wanted to offer an additional lens in regards to the relationship between crack and polysubstance use.
In the US, we have seen that an increase in crack use often ends up having a relationship with an increase in heroin use. Crack, being a powerful stimulant, can be difficult to “come down” from and people who use the drug may find themselves unable to sleep for long periods of time.
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For these reasons, people who use crack may end up turning to heroin to help them “come down” from the stimulant high and get rest.
This uptick in crack use is all the more reason for Ireland to urgently pursue a supervised injection/overdose prevention site.
Polydrug use is complicated, giving people the tools they need to stay alive is not. Learn from America’s mistakes.
– Yours, etc,
MARGARET HESTER,
Massachusetts, US.