Michael Ring
Question:252 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of heroin addicts currently receiving treatment; and the numbers awaiting treatment for each health board area. [18304/00]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.
The provision of drug treatment services is the statutory responsibility of each individual health board. However, I have made enquiries of the boards and the following is the position with regard to those receiving and awaiting methadone treatment for heroin addiction in each health board:
|
Health Board |
Numbers Receiving Treatment |
Numbers Awaiting Treatment |
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
4,556 |
417 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
25 |
0 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
18 |
8 |
|
Western Health Board |
4 |
0 |
|
North-Western Health Board |
3 |
1 |
|
Midland Health Board |
33 |
12 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
16 |
0 |
|
Southern Health Board |
24 |
0 |
The experience of health boards is that where treatment services are developed more clients come forward to access these services. In the Eastern Regional Health Authority, with the establishment of additional clinics in the near future I understand that the authority expect that the current waiting list will be eliminated.