Frank Crowley
Question:32 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the prescribing of methadone within the health board system.
Written Answers. - Methadone Maintenance Programme.
Edward Nealon
Question:75 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the prescribing of methadone within the health board system.
Alan M. Dukes
Question:103 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the prescribing of methadone within the health board system.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 32, 75 and 103 together.
At present the Eastern Health Board is the only health board which is providing a structured methadone maintenance programme. This programme was introduced in accordance with the Government's strategies on HIV-AIDs and drugs. It is designed to treat drug users in a controlled environmental, for heroin-abuse. The service filled a need in the Eastern Health Board area because of the need to cater for the intravenous drug using population in its area. The Eastern Health Board also run an extensive needle exchange programme which has been successful in changing needle-sharing habits among drug abusers, thereby reducing the risk of spreading HIV.
I am satisfied that the methadone maintenance programme is a vital part of the HIV-AIDS strategy because it seeks to control the behaviour of the chaotic drug abuser and thereby restrict the spread of the HIV virus.