Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

257 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the current progress in relation to drug abuse; the further measures, if any, he has for treatment centres; the likely number of addicts which will be catered for in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21255/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am satisfied with the current progress in relation to drug abuse. All health boards are working to implement the recommendations of the ministerial task force on measures to reduce the demand for drugs and have been provided with funding for this purpose.

In the Eastern Health Board, where the drugs problem is most acute, six addiction centres and 15 satellite clinics provide prevention, counselling and treatment services to drug misusers. In addition, around 70 general practitioners and 55 pharmacies are involved in the provision of treatment to drug misusers in their own local area. At present there are 2,660 people on the central methadone treatment list, with over 900 new people having come into treatment since the beginning of the year.

However, estimates of the number of drug misusers would indicate that a substantial further expansion of drug treatment services is required in order that treatment can be provided to anyone who needs it.

In the Eastern Health Board's progress report of 13 November 1997 it outlined developments to date, but it also pinpointed the locations where further drug treatment facilities were required, namely, in the south inner city, north-west inner city, Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Finglas with smaller scale satellite clinics being set up in up to 20 other locations throughout the greater Dublin area. The health board is consulting local communities in every case, but progress on many developments is slow due to local opposition towards the establishment of drug treatment facilities. I would appeal to all Deputies to support the health board in its efforts to provide the appropriate services in areas where the need for such services has been identified. The Eastern Health Board, for its part, is setting up treatment facilities within a strict code of practice. In the past, where the health board has worked in conjunction with local communities, the Garda and voluntary agencies in the setting up of such clinics, they have been found to work effectively, with minimal disruption to local communities.

We must tackle the scourge of drug abuse at local community level. This can only be done by providing the appropriate treatment and care to those who need it at an early stage, so that these people can be prevented from moving further into a life of crime and anti-social behaviour to feed their drug habit.

I am confident that, with the proper support, the Eastern Health Board will establish a network of services which can adequately respond to the drugs problem from the health perspective.