asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that at present there is no place in Ireland for the treatment of drug addicts on an in-patient basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Drug Addicts.
24.
I am not so aware. Persons suffering from drug addiction can be and are treated within the ambit of the general psychiatric services both on an outpatient and in-patient basis. In addition, it is hoped at an early date to provide special facilities for drug addicts at Usher's Island and at the Central Mental Hospital.
Is the Minister aware that if a drug addict or drug taker is brought before the courts the justice has no option but to send him to prison, that there is no legislation at the moment to provide for sending him to an in-patient treatment centre and that the treatment centre which the Minister recently established on the North Circular Road has closed down and that there is in fact no drug addiction treatment centre in Dublin or Ireland at present?
I have already explained the position to the Deputy. As he knows, persons can be confined under the Mental Acts. By reason of their addiction to drugs they are either dangerous to themselves or others and are incapable of managing themselves or their affairs and can be confined.
That is under the 1953 Act but is the Minister aware that there is no in-patient treatment centre in Dublin at present?
I have just told the Deputy that there are arrangements to place such persons in St. Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital. I have also said that there is a new establishment being provided in the Central Mental Hospital which will be ready, I gather, in about two months when modern type treatment can be given and this will mean restriction.