Vol. 575 No. 3
249 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children the support mechanisms available to parents and their children who are addicted to heroin or other drugs; if there are programmes available; and the timescale and waiting time for getting on those support programmes. [28273/03]
The provision of drug treatment services is a matter for the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance.
The overall objective of the National Drugs Strategy 2001 to 2008 is to reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research with the ultimate aim of leading a drug-free lifestyle. The health related aspects of the national drugs strategy focus in particular on education and prevention and treatment and rehabilitation, including substitution treatment under the methadone protocol.
The number of treatment places has expanded considerably in recent years, in line with the Government's commitment under the national drugs strategy. At the end of September 2003 there were 6,844 people receiving methadone treatment. This compares with a figure of just over 5,000 at the end of 2,000. I am informed that, at the end of September, there were 259 people on the waiting list for treatment under the methadone protocol within the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA.
In the Eastern Regional Health Authority there are 59 drug treatment locations. This compares with 12 locations in 1997. 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 also increased over the past number of years.
I understand there are a wide range of specific support mechanisms for parents and their children who are addicted to heroin and other drugs funded through the ERHA and the health boards. These include counselling and family services provided directly by the area health boards, local drugs task force initiatives and projects provided by community and voluntary sector organisations. The chief executive of the ERHA understands that there are no waiting times of significance in relation to these dedicated projects and that there is relatively immediate access to same.
250 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason necessary blood samples to check warfarin levels will no longer be taken from a person, details supplied, in County Louth after more than four years of doing so; the person responsible for taking these necessary blood samples; if this person will receive adequate health-care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28280/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Louth area rests with the North Eastern Health Board. My Department, therefore, has asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him, as a matter of urgency.
