Recommendations by the scrutiny panel include free needle exchange

It is one of several recommendations into the way Jersey treats drug users which will be considered by the States.

Senator Wendy Kinnard says the points raised by a States scrutiny panel will be considered and Home Affairs will report on what action will be taken.

There are about 800 heroin users in Jersey, about two thirds of which are in touch with various agencies.

Needle exchange

Health organisations say their challenge is to make contact with those drug users who remain outside the system. They also want to improve services for clients.

One of the most contentious recommendations is to investigate supervised injecting centres in Europe, with a view to seeing whether one should be set up in Jersey.

Some health workers believe they offer a safe environment for drugs users and help to keep needles off the streets.

But opponents say injecting centres legitimise drug use and are a response too far.

The scrutiny panel has also recommended the possibility of creating a needle exchange scheme for inmates at the island's La Moye Prison.

The proposal appears to recognise that prison inmates sharing needles could spread diseases like HIV or hepatitis and could lead to a debate on whether prisons should be drug-free.