Calls are being made for drug testing labs to be introduced here to help save lives.

It comes following the death of 18-year-old Alex Ryan from Millstreet in Co Cork last week after he took a psychoactive substance at a party.

A conference in Dublin has heard how the introduction of testing labs in Wales has potentially saved 4000 lives over the past two a a half years.

They allow drug users test their drugs for potentially lethal ingredients.

The Health Minister has already indicated he is examining the proposal as part of a new national drugs strategy for 2017.

Susan Keogh has been speaking to the Director of Help Not Harm Graham de Barra

He began by explaining the difference is between drug testing kits and labs: