Illegal drug dealing or use recorded at NI health trusts

Illegal drug dealing or drug use has been recorded at healthcare buildings at Northern Ireland's five regional health and social care trusts trusts.

It follows a BBC News NI investigation in 2024 which found increased incidents of drug dealing at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Each was asked if it has been an issue of concern across its sites, with most saying it had experienced 'low levels' of reports.

All trusts said they remained vigilant for anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity.

There are five regional health trusts in Northern Ireland: Belfast, Southern, South Eastern, Northern, and Western.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said it continued to record "very low levels of drug related activity across all our sites".

It said it had a zero-tolerance approach, worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and encouraged staff to report issues.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust said there were "very small numbers of drug related activity" at its hospital sites.

"Staff remain vigilant for any anti-social behaviour including drug-related activity on our hospital sites and we work closely with PSNI colleagues on such issues," a spokesperson said.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust told BBC News NI it had reported fewer than five incidents each year since 2020.

"We are not aware of any recent escalation in this type of activity at any of our trust sites," a spokesperson said.

"Anti-social behaviour of any kind has no place in our hospitals or emergency departments where staff are doing all they can to provide care to those in need.

"We continue to work with the PSNI to address any matters that may arise."

The Southern Health & Social Care Trust said they are not aware of any recent escalation of the issue, but told BBC News NI they'd had one allegation of drug dealing on its hospital sites in the last 3 years, and the PSNI were informed.

"We are not aware of any recent escalation in this type of activity on our hospital grounds. Our security porters remain vigilant for any unusual behaviour around sites, and will take appropriate action and escalate as necessary," a spokesperson said.

Former policing board member councillor Jonathan Craig described it as "deeply alarming and shocking".

Speaking on Evening Extra, Craig said the council had been "met with a wall of silence" around the issue.

Craig called on trusts "to be more proactive" in dealing with this.

Craig said he went to A&E with his 85-year-old father and would not want him to be around drugs.

"I wouldn't like to think that I would have to sit there and watch these people doing this sort of thing while someone as vulnerable as that is sitting there."

Issues at the Royal Victoria Hospital - which is in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - have been raised with the PSNI, leading to increased patrols and police dogs in emergency departments.

There has also been the suggestion of staff wearing body cams.

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said it was "concerned about an increase in antisocial behaviour including drug usage and drug dealing".

"We are working closely with PSNI colleagues and local community representatives to address this worrying trend," it added.

"We would ask everyone to please be respectful of your hospitals and community sites to help keep them safe places for your family and friends."