Written Answers - Drug Treatment Services.
Gay Mitchell
Question:
172
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the measures, if any, he has taken since his appointment to reduce drug use and addiction; the treatment measures he has introduced in the prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26232/98]
I have said on many occasions in the past, I believe that the most effective strategy in dealing with drug addicted offenders is a combination of appropriate treatment, education and rehabilitation. Treatment for drug addicted prisoners is currently available in all prison institutions as part of the general medical services available to all inmates. Any offender who is willing to make a real effort to stop abusing drugs and who shows the necessary commitment and motivation is supported by appropriate medical intervention and therapeutic counselling. It is, however, unfortunately the case that many offenders refuse to grasp the opportunities provided to address their addiction.
Since taking up my appointment I have made it a priority to tackle the problem of drug abuse and addiction in the prison system. My Department now has an agreed policy on substance abuse with the Eastern Health Board. A plan is being drawn up at present to implement this policy. In addition to examining the feasibility of providing a drug free area in each prison and increased detoxification facilities, it is intended to consider the development of further educational and training courses suitable for addicts and which could be devised in conjunction with an aftercare programme. Progress in developing drug treatment programmes and drug free areas is greatly hampered by overcrowding in the committal prisons. However, this obstacle will be removed as the prison building programme progresses. The opening of the new women's prison at Mountjoy, a new male remand centre at Cloverhill and a new male prison in Portlaoise in 1999 will help alleviate this problem.
During 1997, following medical assessment, approximately 1,650 inmates in Mountjoy Prison received the standard 14 day drug detoxification programme in the prison. This programme is operated by the medical personnel in the prison and is aimed at weaning addicts off drugs by means of gradually reducing dosages of substitutes such as methadone. More intensive treatment is available at the drug treatment unit which has been in operation in Mountjoy Prison's health care unit since July 1996. The unit is modelled on similar hospital based units in the community. One hundred and fifty six inmates have been admitted to the drug treatment unit since it opened.
In addition, there are weekly narcotics anonymous meetings in the unit. Individual counselling is also available on request from the Probation Service and voluntary organisations such as Anna Liffey, Coolmine Therapeutic Community and the Merchant's Quay Project who visit the prison regularly.
A number of measures have been introduced in recent years to curtail the smuggling in and use of illegal drugs in the prisons. These include video surveillance, improved visiting and searching facilities, increased vigilance by staff and urine testing. It is my intention to continue efforts to reduce the level of drug abuse in the prison system.
The Working Group on a Courts Commission has presented its fifth report on the establishment of drugs courts. It is expected that the drugs courts when they are established will lead to a reduction in the number of treatment places needed in prisons as drug abusing offenders convicted for minor offences may be steered towards non-prison treatment options rather than be committed to prison in the first instance.
I am satisfied that the various treatment options available to drug addicts in prison are making a positive contribution to the fight against drug abuse generally in Irish society today. I recognise, however, that more needs to be done and, as I have indicated, I am currently examining other options to improve the level of services available to drug addicted offenders.
