Bernard Allen
Question:300 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has to tackle the Ecstasy drug abuse situation in Cork city.
Written Answers. - Drug Abuse.
The Southern Health Board have informed me that it has constituted a permanent sub-committee of the board to develop and implement programmes for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse.
In addition a programme has now been developed in Arbour House Treatment Centre to provide a comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment service for teenagers and young adults on an out-patient basis during a three year pilot study. The pilot project will assess the extent to which problems may be dealt with on an outpatient basis and the extent to which in-patient treatment would be needed.
This is the first operational year of the juvenile programme, but the results are encouraging. A unique feature of the programme is the priority which is being given to the participation of parents and school teachers in reference to treatment through early intervention in the childrens homes and in the schools. Special evening training programmes have been developed at Arbour House for parents and teachers which provide them with identification and intervention skills so that parents and teachers will be well equipped to suspect that teenagers either in school or at home have become involved in alcohol and drug abuse. Those participating in these programmes are also trained to co-operate with the staff of Arbour House in getting such young people into Arbour House for diagnosis and treatment at the ealiest possible date.
The board has assured me that the question of the most appropriate action with regard to both the prevention and treatment of drug abuse in the board's area is being kept under review by the board's sub-committee on drug abuse and I have asked them to let me have proposals on how their existing programme might be strengthened, as required.