RELATIVES of vulnerable and homeless people who have died suddenly over recent months have met Stormont officials.
Concerns were raised last year after it emerged that dozens of people with addictions, including some who are also homeless, died prematurely in the Belfast area.
Relatives of the dead met with officials from three Stormont departments - communities, health and justice - in Belfast on Tuesday.
Among those who took part was Colleen Higgins who said she was disappointed at the outcome. Her brother Brendan died in Belfast City Centre last March. The 32-year-old struggled with alcohol and drug problems.
"We got no answers. We want to known why my brother was failed by the system," she said.
Ms Higgins added her family also wants to know why her father was not asked to identify his son.
Also in attendance was Peter McCormack, whose son PJ McCormack (31) was found dead in a house in Lisburn, Co Antrim, in May.
Mr McCormack, who suffered from a drug addiction, had been released from prison just four weeks earlier.
Peter explained that his son had served a sentence for shoplifting and stole to feed his addiction.
He described him as a “lovable rogue” and said that he “stole to get money for the tablets”.
Mr McCormack has previously called for public inquiry into how vulnerable people are treated once they leave prison.
Jack Murphy, of McIvor Farrell, said it was an important meeting for his clients "to try and obtain answers into their loved ones deaths".
"Our clients are seeking an inquiry into their loved ones deaths and the clear link between homelessness, addiction and mental health care in this jurisdiction," he said.
"That inquiry would help obtain the answers our clients seek and importantly try to prevent any further deaths of the most vulnerable in our community."
The Department of Health said the meeting allowed bereaved families to speak about the impact of their loss and their views on existing service provision.
"We would like to thank the families who attended and spoke so eloquently of their loss. The views of the families on current service provision have been taken on board and will be factored into the ongoing services that will be developed as part of the implementation of the new Substance Use and Mental Health strategies," a spokesperson said.
