Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Methadone Maintenance Programmes.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

94 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health, further to the announcement of the Government's drug demand reduction measures of 21 February 1996, the number of additional places on methadone maintenance programmes which he intends to provide; the timescale for making these additional places available; the way in which his Department proposes to provide treatment for drug addicts who are smoking heroin; the number of places; the timescale for making these available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4452/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Methadone maintenance is already being provided to drug misusers through Eastern Health Board community drug treatment centres at Baggot Street, Amiens Street and Ballyfermot and at the Drug Treatment Centre, Pearse Street and through a number of general practitioners. At present, approximately 1,450 people are being treated this way. However, a number of other drug misusers have come forward for treatment and significant waiting lists have built up at all treatment facilities.

In order to address this, the Government decision of 20 February proposed that additional places be provided at community drug centres by the Eastern Health Board during 1996. In addition, more general practitioners will be encouraged to become involved in the prescribing of methadone. The success of this expansion of services depends very much on the support of local communities and on the number of general practitioners agreeing to become involved. It is intended that the major portion of these additional places will be put in place during 1996.

In relation to the provision of services for persons smoking heroin, it is proposed that the Eastern Health Board regional co-ordinating committee should formulate proposals within two months to deal with this issue.