As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the national drugs strategy and for the work of 14 local drugs task forces which were established in 1997 in the areas experiencing the highest levels of drug misuse.
The Government has allocated or spent over €65 million to implement in the region of 500 projects contained in the action plans. In addition, services for drug users in all health boards have increased substantially over recent years. For example, in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, treatment services have expanded from 12 locations in early 1997 to 57 currently. Most of these services offer a range of treatments, including methadone maintenance, methadone reduction, outpatient detoxification, counselling and alternative remedies or therapies.
In relation to methadone maintenance, there were 1,350 places available on the treatment list about seven years ago, whereas currently there are approximately 6,600. Outside the ERHA, treatment clinics have been established in the South Eastern Health Board, Mid-Western Health Board, Western Health Board and Midland Health Board. General practitioners and pharmacists also provide treatment services and their involvement has increased over recent years. Services are also provided by a broad range of voluntary and community agencies which are funded through grants from health boards.
It is not accurate to say that those not on the central methadone treatment list do not receive treatment. While they may not be on a substi tution treatment programme, such opiate users would receive a range of detox or drug-free treatments in both residential and non-residential settings. Other users would be clients of needle exchange programmes, outreach services and other interventions for chaotic users. As the Deputy will appreciate, entry into treatment is a personal choice and, indeed, positive motivation is essential for treatment to have any chance of success.
The Deputy should note that funding of drugs services provided by my Department increased by 16% this year, even though the overall level of funding available to the Department generally has decreased. The increase in expenditure for this year clearly reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to addressing the drug problem, particularly in areas where heroin misuse is most prevalent.
Additional InformationWhile there may be additional demands on the subhead in 2003, I believe that through this increased allocation and close monitoring of spending, we can address such requests for funding over the course of the year.