Michael McDowell
Question:29 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health the current arrangements which exist for the needle exchange programme in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Services for Drug Misusers.
Michael McDowell
Question:43 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health the services, if any, his Department currently provide by way of counselling or rehabilitation for persons under the age of 18 who are addicted to drugs.
Liz McManus
Question:267 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the high level of hepatitis HIV virus infection among drug abusers in Dublin, he will make a statement as to the action he intends to take.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 43 and 267 together.
Following publication of both the Government Strategy to Prevent Drug Misuse and the Report of the National AIDS Strategy Committee a range of initiatives have been taken, particularly in the Dublin area, to improve services for drug misusers and those with HIV.
One of the main initiatives has been the development by the Eastern Health Board of its services at the AIDS Resource Centre in Baggot Street and associated satellite services in Ballyfermot. The Eastern Health Board provides medical and social support and counselling to drug misusers and to those who have tested HIV positive. A needle exchange service is available in Baggot Street and Ballyfermot. Counselling services, in addition to those provided by the health board are available from a number of non-statutory organisations in the Dublin area and from the Drug Treatment Centre in Pearse Street. The services are available to persons under 18 years of age. I am sending to Deputy McDowell a copy of my Health Promotion Unit's Resource List on Primary Prevention of Drug Misuse which contains very useful information on treatment and counselling services.
With regard to the transmission of hepatitis, the risk-reduction services which include the needle exchange programmes are aimed at preventing the spread of infection between drug users. I have recently received the report of the Expert Group on the Prescribing of Methadone. It recommends a structured framework for the treatment and care of drug users in the community involving general practitioners, community drug teams and specialist treatment centres. The initiatives to be pursued will greatly facilitate the general health care of drug users. I am asking the relevant organisations to look to the implementation of the recommendations as a matter of urgency.