Michael McDowell
Question:45 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health the total attendance at the National Drugs Treatment Centre in 1993; if he will give a breakdown by drugs of addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Drugs Treatment Centre.
The attendance at the Drug Treatment Centre for the period January to September 1993 was as follows: January to September 1993: new patients, 564; return patients, 752; total patients, 1,316; attendances, 31,125. Of these 1,316 patients, 958 provided samples for urinalysis. Of these 958 patients: 60 per cent tested positive for Opiates; 51 per cent tested positive for Benzodiazepines; 58 per cent tested positive for Methadone; 62 per cent tested positive for Cannabis; 18 per cent tested positive for Alcohol; 7 per cent tested positive for Amphetamines. Most of those who tested positive for Methadone were not participating in the structured programmes run by the Eastern Health Board and the Drug Treatment Centre. The need for such structured programmes was identified by the National AIDS Strategy Committee and an Expert Group on a Protocol for the Prescribing of Methadone was established last year. The report of this group has been accepted by me, and their Recommendations are being implemented to ensure that Methadone is made available in a controlled manner.