Vol. 555 No. 2
317 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans there are in place to provide real community drug treatment, whereby centres are built or added in each community, with a smaller, more client-centred focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18216/02]
The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 was developed in partnership between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors and following comprehensive public consultation. Its overall strategic objective is to significantly reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research.
Under the treatment pillar, the strategy envisages a comprehensive, client-centred approach to the treatment of drug misusers. The 100 specific actions set out in the strategy include: immediate access for drug misusers to professional assessment and counselling, followed by commencement of treatment as deemed appropriate, not later than one month after assessment; an increase in the number of treatment places for opiate addiction to 6,500 by end 2002; having in place a range of treatment and rehabilitation options as part of a planned programme of progression for each drug user; plans for the provision of a comprehensive and locally accessible range of treatments for drug misusers.
Clearly, these actions require services to be delivered at local level. To this end there are currently some 57 treatment centres within the Eastern Regional Health Authority area. A significant number of these centres serve a limited catchment area which has been agreed with the local community. Many also have a ceiling on the number of clients which they serve which has been agreed with the local community. Finally, it should be noted that the national drugs strategy envisages that all health boards, in considering the location and establishment of treatment and rehabilitation facilities, develop a management plan in consultation with local communities.
Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 316.
