Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 7

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Derek McDowell

Question:

38 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the operation of methadone programmes; the number of drug users who have successfully completed a programme and are now drug free; the plans, if any, he has to expand the programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23928/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am satisfied with the operation of the methadone protocol, following the full implementation of the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulations, 1998 on 1 October last.

The total number of clients registered on the central patient treatment list on 29 October 1998 was 3,290. The breakdown of patients in treatment is:

Eastern Health Board-Drug Treatment Centre, Trinity Court	2,423
General Practitioners	867
Total	3,290

Because of the nature of drug misuse and the range of treatment options provided to drug misusers there is not a figure for the number who have successfully completed the programme and are drug free. A number of misusers would be referred for detoxification, but may relapse again and would re-enter the system of methadone treatment. For others, methadone maintenance, where the drug misuser is stable and can work and have a normal lifestyle, may be the final outcome of treatment.

Methadone programmes will continue to be expanded as long as a need for such expansion is identified, with an emphasis on providing treatment to drug misusers in their own local area. To date in 1998 the Eastern Health Board has commenced treatment in 16 new locations and work is in progress to ensure early commencement at nine further locations. In addition, health boards will continue to recruit general practitioners who can provide treatment and care to drug misusers in their own local area.

Marian McGennis

Question:

40 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the implementation of the methadone distribution protocol; the number of general practitioners in the Dublin 8 and 10 areas prescribing under the protocol; the number of addicts registered with each general practitioner; the number of pharmacists, clinics or other facilities dispensing methadone in the Dublin 8 and 10 areas; the number of addicts registered with each pharmacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22414/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

On 1 October 1998 the final phase of the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulations, 1998 was implemented. From that date methadone can only be dispensed to a patient for whom a drug treatment card has been issued and remains valid. The number of patients on the central patient treatment list at 29 October 1998 was 3,290. Of this 2,423 patients were being treated in health board facilities and 867 with general practitioners.

The numbers of doctors and the respective number of patients registered with each doctor in the Dublin 8 and Dublin 10 areas are as follows:—

Dublin 8

Doctor	Number of Patients
Doctor 1	3
Doctor 2	3
Doctor 3	1
Doctor 4	25
Doctor 5	19
Doctor 6	4
Doctor 7	79
Doctor 8	1
Doctor 9	1
Doctor 10	16

Dublin 10

Doctor	Number of patients
Doctor 1	6
Doctor 2	1
Doctor 3	1

The number of pharmacies and the respective number of patients attending each premises for methadone dispensing are as follows:—

Dublin 8

Pharmacy	Number of patients
Pharmacy 1	37
Pharmacy 2	95
Pharmacy 3	12
Pharmacy 4	1
Pharmacy 5	69
Pharmacy 6	24
Pharmacy 7	24
Pharmacy 8	6

Dublin 10

Pharmacy	Number of patients
Pharmacy 1	12
Pharmacy 2	2
Pharmacy 3	56
Pharmacy 4	8
Pharmacy 5	10
Pharmacy 6	8

The Eastern Health Board has five satellite clinics operating in the Dublin 8 area, at Castle Street, 96 patients; Cork Street, two patients; Bride Street, one patient; Merchant's Quay, 35 patients; and the Rialto Project, 41 patients.

The board has two treatment centres in the Dublin 10 area at Aisling Clinic Cherry Orchard Hospital, 296 patients; and Fortune House, beside the Aisling Clinic, 28 patients.

The health board is actively trying to recruit more doctors and pharmacists to provide treatment to drug misusers in their own local area. It has made significant progress in bringing the overall number attending any individual doctor or pharmacy down to the numbers which were recommended in the Methadone Treatment Services Review Group's report.