Question:
371 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of heroin addicts in each community care area of the Eastern Regional Health Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8312/02]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.
The covert nature of drug misuse means it is difficult to know the number of people misusing drugs. Various estimates have been made and these range from 6,500 to 13,500.
One indicator of the number of heroin users is the number seeking treatment. The number of people receiving treatment by community care area is not available. However, at the end of December 2001, there were 5,695 people receiving methadone maintenance treatment in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area – 2,013 in the Northern Area Health Board, 2,233 in the South Western Area Health Board, 710 in the East Coast Area Health Board, 510 in Trinity Court, Pearse Street, and 229 in prisons.
The National Advisory Committee on Drugs has approved a number of studies aimed at providing reliable national and regional statistics on the nature and extent of drug misuse which will give a clearer picture of the drug problem.