Vol. 458 No. 5
82 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have been cured of an addiction by the use of methadone in a treatment programme; the other forms of treatment he has considered in view of the fact that some centres operate in a totally drug-free environment; and the plans, if any, he has to ensure sufficient centres and beds are provided to prevent methadone users from returning to heroin use and associated crime. [17272/95]
Limerick East): The provision of treatment services for people who are misusing drugs is a matter for each health board in the first instance. The Eastern Health Board's methadone programme has been in operation for two and a half years now and a clinical audit of patients who have received treatment has been carried out. The audit has shown that, of those attending for methadone treatment, 10 per cent are opting for detoxification and a further 60 per cent have improved their quality of life to such an extent that they are classified as stable and are ready for discharge to the community. However they are not classified as cured but as significantly improved from the point of view of health and social circumstances.
Health boards provide a range of treatment options, which are determined by local needs, including in-patient and out-patient detoxification and they also refer people to drug free regimes elsewhere. An example of such a regime is Coolmine Therapeutic Community, which is funded by my Department through the Eastern Health Board and provides a drug free therapeutic approach to detoxification.
83 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the type of treatment which will be available in the proposed six HIV centres due to open in Dublin; the capacity of these centres; the different treatments that will be available to users of these clinics; where the proposed satellite clinics will be located; if these six new centres represent the final level of provision planned; and if he intends to provide rehabilitation and support facilities for the treatment of addicts and their families within their own communities. [17273/95]
Limerick East): The provision of drug treatment services in the Dublin area is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The board has made a broadly based submission to me which outlines the type and range of additional services which it intends to provide in 1996. The exact number of community drug centres, the location and the capacity of each of the services to be provided, will depend on local needs, the availability of suitable premises and on the outcome of detailed discussions which are being conducted between officers of my Department and the health board's management. While the submission provides for six additional centres, the number and type may vary depending on the discussion and the consultations outlined.
