Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rehabilitation Services.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

293 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health the rehabilitation programmes which are run for narcotic addicts in the community; the proportion of narcotic addicts who take part in methadone programmes; his Department's policy on the treatment of narcotic addicts and the action which is being taken to control drug abuse; the number of satellite centres that are opened, or due to be opened, throughout the country; their location and the capital and running cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

There is available at present a range of treatment and rehabilitation services provided by statutory and voluntary agencies, such as:—

—Regional Health Boards

—The Drug Treatment Centre, Trinity Court

—Outreach Project

—Drug Addiction Counsellors

—Coolmine Therapeutic Community

—Anna Liffey Drug Project

—Ballymun Youth Action Project

—Merchant's Quay Project

—St. Francis Training Centre, Cork

—Individual G.P. Services.

These services are not aimed exclusively at narcotic addicts but cater for a broad range of drug addictions. This approach is in line with Government policy which accepts that there must be a multiplicity of treatment approaches.

There is at present no reliable estimate of the number of intravenous drug abusers in the country. Measures are being taken to remedy this situation through the development of a national data base on drug misuse. In the meantime it is not possible to say what proportion of narcotic addicts are taking part in methadone maintenance programmes. However, at present approximately 150 individuals are taking part in methadone maintenance programmes at the Drug Treatment Centre while the Eastern Health Board is catering for approximately 160 individuals on its maintenance programmes.

My Department's policy on the treatment of narcotic addicts is laid out in the Government Strategy to Prevent Drug Misuse and the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS infected drug abusers is also addressed in the report of the National AIDS Strategy Committee and as such are too extensive to quote in reply. I have arranged to have a copy of both documents forwarded to the Deputy.

There are a number of measures both new and ongoing which are in place to combat drug abuse. These include:—

—the establishment of a national drug misuse data base;

—approved co-ordination and dialogue between the statutory and voluntary services at local level;

—the development of community drug teams in targeted areas;

—a strengthening of the role of the Drug Treatment Centre and an expansion of board membership;

—the development of general practitioner staffed community based clinics (satellite clinics) which cater for HIV/AIDS infected drug abusers.

At present there are two satellite clinics in operation, one at Baggot Street and the other at Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, and it is proposed to open at least one more, on the northside of Dublin city, and in areas of greatest need. The Southern Health Board are at present evaluating the need for such a clinic(s) in their catchment area.

The total cost for the current year of the two clinics in operation to date is £315,000.