Vol. 468 No. 4
216 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the research, if any, which have been carried out into the success of methadone maintenance in terms of rehabilitation and recovery of drug addicts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15814/96]
Limerick East): The overall objective in providing treatment services for those addicted to opiates such as heroin is to return them to a drug free lifestyle. It is recognised that, in the short-term, this may not be an option for many drug misusers.
Methadone maintenance programmes are in operation in most member states of the European Union as well as in other countries and they have been shown to be successful where they are part of an integrated response to the drug problem. I am satisfied that they also represent a valid response in this country.
International research has shown, however, that methadone maintenance programmes make a significant improvement in the health and behaviour of such person, with consequential benefits to them, their families and society in general. There are, in addition, considerable public health benefits with a reduction in the risk of spreading HIV and hepatitis C. The level of drug related crime also reduces.
217 Ms. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State per addict per annum of methadone maintenance; the comparative cost of providing a residential drug free therapeutic programme, such as Coolmine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15815/96]
Limerick East): It is not possible to provide information of the type requested by the Deputy. In the case of methadone maintenance, for instance, the cost per person would depend on the manner in which the maintenance programme was being delivered, for example, through a community drug treatment centre or through a general practitioner. The associated incidental costs as well as the dosages would vary in both of these settings and the average costs would vary accordingly.
In the case of a residential therapeutic programme the difficulty would arise in determining at what stage it would be appropriate to deem the programme successful for each individual.
In any event, I do not think it appropriate to compare costs of different treatment approaches in the manner suggested by the Deputy. Methadone maintenance works for a number of drug misusers but it is not the only approach. Equally, therapeutic communities have successful outcomes with some patients, but do not work for others. It would be more appropriate to recognise that both approaches can, with other treatment and prevention regimes, form part of an integrated approach to reducing the demand for drugs.
