Latest news with #JenniferMurnaneO'Connor
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Health Minister visits Carlow healthcare facilities during whistle-stop tour of county
On a whistle-stop tour of Carlow, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was brought to St Dympna's Woodlands Garden Project, Kevlin Court, the Sacred Heart Hospital, the site of the proposed minor injury unit, and the new ambulance base. The minister was accompanied by Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Carlow Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Martina Queally of HSE Dublin and South East, senior regional management, leadership and staff across both community and hospital services. 'HSE Dublin and South East Estates provided an update to me on the injury unit and the new ambulance base, based on St Dympna's campus, both projects will be beneficial in providing the right care at the right time to those living in Carlow,' said Minister Carroll MacNeill during her visit to Carlow. 'It was great to have this opportunity to visit with my colleagues, Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor and Catherine Callaghan TD and to see how much investment has been coming to Carlow and how much is to come to expand supports for those living in Carlow, who need them.' The first stop on the tour of Carlow was at St Dympha's Woodlands Garden Project which saw an area of overgrown ground transformed into a woodlands garden over the past year by staff and service users from the HSE's Carlow Mental Health Day Service Centre. Next, was a stop at Kevlin Court, a purpose built and self-contained residential intellectual disability care complex, which comprises of four bungalows (Barrow, Burren, Lir and Slaney). Located on St. Dympna's Hospital grounds, Kelvin Court provides medium‐to‐high support for up to 18 residents with intellectual disabilities. During the visit to Kelvin Court, the Health Minister was updated on the Photovoltaic (PV) installations at Kelvin Court, which has resulted in most of its own energy needs being met for the residents and staff of the disability care residential and support facilities. Minister Carroll MacNeill then visited the Sacred Heart Hospital, which is a 63-bed residential care centre facility, with accommodation arranged in three interconnecting units (the Sacred Heart, St. Clare's and St. James's units). During the visit, Ms Carroll MacNeill met with residents while they enjoyed their daily activities. Next on the whistle-stop tour was a visit to the proposed ten bay minor injuries unit, to be located at St. Dympna's Hospital. The unit will be under the remit of St. Luke's General Hospital. Minister Carroll MacNeill was briefed on plans for its development, its current progress by HSE Dublin and South East and how once fully operational, it will provide an alternative for patients with minor injuries instead of attending an emergency department. The final stop was at the site of the new ambulance base at Kelvin Grove. During her visit, the Health Minister heard how the design team will be appointed in the fourth quarter of 2025 after the project was included in the HSE Capital Plan. "Thank you to the Health Minister for coming to Carlow to visit our community-based healthcare facilities,' said Martina Queally of HSE Dublin and South East. "This gave us an opportunity to show the development of community healthcare facilities in Carlow over the last number of years and the importance of continued investment in community healthcare in this region. 'We look forward to growing and developing both hospital and community-based healthcare services and supporting those living in Carlow to access these services closer to home.'
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
HHC, commonly found in vapes and edibiles, made illegal
HHC, a drug commonly used in some vapes or edibles, has been banned. HHC, which is a semi synthetic cannabinoid, has been linked with episodes of psychosis. Advertisement It is one of 14 new substances new classified as controlled drugs, after studies by the EU and UN. Minister for Drugs Jennifer Murnane O'Connor is confident enforcement on HHC will follow. Ms Murnane O'Connor said: "I've had a lot of families contacting me, as have other members of the Oireachtas [about HHC]. "It is important now that we have awareness and education on this particular HHC, because it is very important that people understand that drugs are dangerous... any drugs are dangerous. Today it is important that this has become a controlled drug, it's illegal now."
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
HHC now added to list of illegal drugs in Ireland
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), commonly sold as e-cigarettes or vapes, is now illegal to sell and possess in Ireland, the Government has confirmed. This means that the import, export, production, possession, sale and supply of products containing HHC is now illegal. HHC is a semi-synthetic version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis. Since it was first detected in Ireland in 2022, it has been linked with episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation. It can be used in vapes or in jelly edibles and emulates the effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the narcotic component present in cannabis plants. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister for the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor announced that Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has been categorised as a Schedule 1 controlled drug in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Schedule 1 controlled drugs are those which are considered to have little or no therapeutic value and which present a very high risk of abuse. The new classification means that the import, export, production, possession, sale, and supply of products containing HHC is now illegal. The addition of these substances to the Schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Acts gives added powers of enforcement to An Garda Síochána combatting the trade in illicit drugs. 'The sale of HHC as vapes, in attractive packaging, or in edible jelly form, is a marketing ploy aimed at young people, which masks the fact that this drug is harmful for youth mental health and can be addictive,' said Minister Carroll MacNeill. 'Under the successor national drugs strategy, I'm committed to reviewing legal avenues to respond faster and more effectively to emerging threats from the volatile drugs market. In line with our health-led approach to drug use, our priority is to advance measures that enable us to protect and support the health of our population.' Minister Murnane O'Connor added: 'Controlling HHC and other harmful substances is an important step that must be complemented by education and prevention programmes so that young people and parents are better informed about the risks associated with drug use. 'We know that HHC is responsible for hospitalisations and psychotic episodes, and that there are many people today struggling with addiction as a result of this and similar drugs. 'I urge people seeking help, either for themselves or for a loved one, to contact the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline. Information on services in your locality can be found on the Health Research Board's interactive map.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC reclassified as an illegal drug
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which has been commonly sold as e-cigarettes or vape pens, has been classified as an illegal drug by the Government. This means the import, export, production, possession, sale and supply of products containing HHC is now illegal. HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid that has similar effects to cannabis and has been sold as e-cigarettes or vape pens, in herbal mixtures, oils, edible jellies and cakes and as tinctures. Since it was first detected in Ireland in 2022, it has been linked with episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation. READ MORE A recent study by researchers at University Hospital Galway found HHC was the second-most common drug used by patients presenting with psychosis over a 21-month period. It is one of 14 new substances, including synthetic opioids and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, that have been newly classified as controlled drugs. This follows their identification by the EU and by the UN Commission for Narcotic Drugs as posing a serious risk to public health. The addition of these substances to the Schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Acts gives added powers of enforcement to An Garda Síochána combating the trade in illicit drugs. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the sale of HHC as vapes, in attractive packaging or in edible form, is 'a marketing ploy aimed at young people, which masks the fact that this drug is harmful for youth mental health and can be addictive. 'Under the successor national drugs strategy, I'm committed to reviewing legal avenues to respond faster and more effectively to emerging threats from the volatile drugs market,' she said. 'In line with our health-led approach to drug use, our priority is to advance measures that enable us to protect and support the health of our population.' Minister of State at the Department of Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor described HHC as 'a grave threat to public health'. 'Controlling HHC and other harmful substances is an important step, that must be complemented by education and prevention programmes so that young people and parents are better informed about the risks associated with drug use,' she said. Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler said: 'Measures like this are essential to easing the pressure on our mental health services and protecting individuals, especially those unaware of the risks, from avoidable and significant harm.'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
HHC added to list of illegal drugs in Ireland by Health Minister
The Health Minister has announced that Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has been classified as an illegal drug in Ireland. This means that the import, export, production, possession, sale, and supply of products containing HHC is now illegal. HHC is a semi-synthetic version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis. Since it was first detected in Ireland in 2022, it has been linked with episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation. It can be used in vapes or in jelly edibles and emulates the effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the narcotic component present in cannabis plants. Flavours range from lemon, blueberry, and pineapple to more unusual tastes such as 'Gorilla Glue' and 'amnesia'. A recent Irish Examiner investigation highlighted the ease of which people could get their hands on HHC, including children. On Tuesday, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, alongside her fellow ministers Jennifer Murnane O'Connor and Mary Butler, announced that the drug was now classified as illegal. It's one of 14 new substances, including synthetic opioids and semi-synthetic cannabinoids that have been newly classified as controlled drugs. This follows their identification by the EU and by the UN Commission for Narcotic Drugs as posing a serious risk to public health. Ms Carroll MacNeill said: "The sale of HHC as vapes, in attractive packaging, or in edible jelly form, is a marketing ploy aimed at young people, which masks the fact that this drug is harmful for youth mental health and can be addictive. 'Under the successor national drugs strategy, I'm committed to reviewing legal avenues to respond faster and more effectively to emerging threats from by the volatile drugs market. In line with our health-led approach to drug use, our priority is to advance measures that enable us to protect and support the health of our population.' Ms Murnane O'Connor added: 'HHC, like other synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs, is a grave threat to public health. Controlling HHC and other harmful substances is an important step, that must be complemented by education and prevention programmes so that young people and parents are better informed about the risks associated with drug use. 'We know that HHC is responsible for hospitalisations and psychotic episodes, and that there are many people today struggling with addiction as a result of this and similar drugs. I urge people seeking help, either for themselves or for a loved one, to contact the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline."
