188 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of beds available in the Eastern Health Board area for the detoxification of drug addicts; and the waiting list for this service. [5860/00]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.
189 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on detoxification rather than methadone maintenance as a means of dealing with drug addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5861/00]
190 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the sum of money spent for each year on managing drug addiction in Dublin; and if he will provide a breakdown for each category of expenditure. [5862/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 190, inclusive, together.
The provision of drug treatment services including detoxification facilities for drug misusers in the Dublin area is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance.
I understand from the board that there is currently a 17 bed in-patient detoxification unit at Cuan Dara in Cherry Orchard Hospital. There is also a ten bed detoxification unit at Beaumont Hospital. This compares favourably with international standards and guidelines for such facilities which indicate an average of between 0.5 and 1.5 beds per 100,000 of population. In addition the Eastern Health Board provides resources for a post detoxification unit operated by the Merchants Quay Project in High Park, Drumcondra. It also provides funding for a post detoxification rehabilitation unit at Cuan Mhuire in Athy.
The board is continuing to expand its drugs services including the number of detoxification beds available to drug misusers and will shortly open a 20 bed downstream detoxification unit in St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park and a 12 bed in-patient stabilisation unit is also being developed at Cherry Orchard Hospital.
There is currently a waiting list for entering into the detoxification unit of between eight and twelve weeks. This may vary depending on circumstances. During this period of time all individuals who are awaiting a bed in the residential detoxification unit are linked in with an addiction counsellor at community level for ongoing support. Many of these clients are also linked to a methadone treatment programme at local level prior to entry into the unit.
The board is confident that when the extra facilities open throughput will increase and as a result waiting times for entry into a detoxification programme will shorten.
Irish Government policy on drug misuse is that a wide range of treatment options should be provided, including methadone treatment, detoxification and other programmes aimed at those addicted to drugs, especially people who are addicted to heroin. The ultimate aim of treatment programmes is to return those addicted to drugs to a drug free lifestyle. Methadone maintenance is internationally recognised as a valid and successful part of an integrated response to the drug problem. It has also been shown that it is possible to reduce the antisocial behaviour of intravenous drug users by taking them into treatment on methadone maintenance programmes.
Year |
Pay |
Non-Pay |
Expenditure |
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
1997 |
4.4 |
11.7 |
16.2 |
1998 |
7.4 |
9.0 |
16.4 |
1999* |
9.2 |
9.7 |
18.9 |