Vol. 488 No. 7
260 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children whether his attention has been drawn to the heroin prescription project in Merseyside, United Kingdom and similar trials in Switzerland and Holland; and if he will make a statement on the success of the project. [7489/98]
I am aware there are various projects under way in other European countries which are investigating the effectiveness of prescribing heroin in the treatment of heroin misuse. However, from the reports received regarding these projects and based on the clinical judgment of Irish experts working in the area of drug misuse I have no plans to introduce such a policy in Ireland.
In February this year I announced the publication of the report of the methadone treatment services review group, which states that methadone treatment, as part of a comprehensive programme of care, continues to be the valid treatment for opiate dependent persons. My Department's officials are part of an implementation committee comprised of representatives from the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Eastern Health Board. This group will drive the implementation of the report's recommendations and will ensure that appropriate treatment and care is available to opiate dependent people and that the methadone protocol scheme is closely monitored and evaluated.
