Heroin Addicts in Dublin City, Ireland 1973

Drug users talk about their lifestyle and the choices they make on a daily basis. In a Dublin City centre park, three young people speak frankly to reporter Larry Masterson about drug taking, and why they do it. One describes it as an escape, while another who has been using for the last six years feels it helps to release his inhibitions, “That way I feel a lot freer in society.“ Although they are aware of the risks they are taking with their lives, it does not deter them, “I have overdosed on several occasions but it doesn’t beat the effect that I get, you know, I still love that fix.“ What is it like being addicted to morphine? A young woman describes being without drugs, “If you haven’t got them it’s a bad scene. You’re sick. You just have to get it.“ On the subject of overdosing, and contrary to what people may think, they are clear that people who use drugs do not intentionally set out to harm themselves, None of those interviewed believe they are a nuisance to society and they do not interfere with the general public. This group just want to be left alone to do their own thing. Their outlook on the future is bleak. “You know you’re going to die from them anyway, whether you overdose early or late, it’s immaterial.“ This episode of ‘Tangents’ was broadcast on 26 October 1973. The reporter is Larry Masterson. A miscellany of events, entertainment, opinions and personalities, ‘Tangents’ was first aired on Monday 25 September 1972 and ran until 1974. Tangents was presented by Cathal O’Shannon and Doireann Ní Bhriain on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and by John O’Donoghue each Tuesday.