Drug testing is on the way for Irish nightclubs

The government plans to introduce the testing program to coincide with changes in licensing laws

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Drug testing is on the way for Irish nightclubs.

A report in today's Sunday Times says the government plans to introduce the testing program to coincide with changes in licensing laws that have yet to be introduced.

Venues will be able to open until 6.30 am after Helen McEntee, the Justice Minister, overhauled the country’s century-old drinking legislation.

Colin O'Gara, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCD, says drug testing will reduce serious health complications:

"It's a harm minimization approach and a public health approach which is very important in the support of people who use drugs and the treatment of drug addiction as a whole.

"So, we know that if we don't turn a blind eye on top the dangers of drug use and if treat drug problems in a proactive way we're going to reduce harm."