Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.
John McGuinness
Question:
271
Mr. McGuinness
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if arrangements will be made for the appropriate medical treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the facilities and treatment available to drug addicts in the South-Eastern Health Board region; if this person can be catered for at Aislinn, Ballyragget, County Kilkenny; and if so, when a place will be made available.
[6814/02]
The provision of drug treatment services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. However, I have been informed by the South-Eastern Health Board that the community addiction counsellor in Kilkenny has written to the person in question offering an appointment for assessment early next week
The South-Eastern Health Board provides a range of treatment services for drug misusers in the region. These services include counselling, methadone treatment and residential care. There are counselling facilities for addiction in each of the five counties of the South-Eastern Health Board region. These services are based in: St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Coolgreaney House, Clonmel, County Tipperary, St. Dympna's Hospital, Carlow, St. Senan's Hospital, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and Brook House Day Centre, Waterford.
Four new community addiction counsellors have been appointed in Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny. Residential treatment centres are located in: Aislinn Adolescent Treatment Centre, Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, Aiséirí Treatment Centre, Townspark, Cahir, County Tipperary and Aiséirí Treatment Centre, Roxborough, Wexford.
Methadone treatment is provided at two clinics in the region, one in Carlow and one in Waterford. General practitioners are also involved in providing this service. The board also provides education and awareness programmes in relation to drug misuse.
