Vol. 476 No. 2
82 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding a proposal by the North-Eastern Health Board to provide a rapid response team in respect of the drugs problem and young people at risk in the greater Dundalk area of County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6718/97]
Limerick East): Following Government decisions of 20 February 1996 on measures to reduce the demand for drugs the North-Eastern Health Board published a detailed service plan in April 1996 aimed at combating the drug problem in the north eastern area. Included in this plan was the proposal for the establishment of rapid response teams. Each team would include: a team leader with particular expertise in working with vulnerable children and adults; a youth leader with strong community links; a social worker dedicated to supporting families; a specialist teacher with a track record of involvement in this area; an input from the child and adolescent services and adult mental services and assessment and treatment counselling services.
During 1996 my Department allocated £100,000 to the board to allow it commence with the implementation of its service plan to address drug misuse. This sum allowed for the establishment of a rapid response team and for the recruitment of five additional staff. This team works mainly in the Drogheda-south Meath area. The staff have been deployed to these areas because a significant drug misuse problem had been identified there. A further £60,000 has been allocated to the board in 1997 for continued expansion of its drugs services and discussions are currently taking place with my Department on further developments.
