Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1334. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the additional steps that have been taken to help front-line drug services cope with the additional challenges that Covid-19 and Covid-19 lockdowns have had on drug treatment services and the increased mental health difficulties many of the clients attending or linking in with those services have experienced in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/21]
View answerCovid-19 has created a time of uncertainty and anxiety. The restrictions on social interaction, the requirement for self-isolation and the restructuring of services, can be particularly difficult for people who use drugs or are dependent on alcohol. The Department of Health is committed to the safe resumption of drug and alcohol services, including community-based services, residential programmes and recovery support groups.
HSE Addiction service continues to operate and provide appropriate care to individuals with addiction problems. Treatment services have continued for people on opioid substitution treatment (OST), with where appropriate and consultations and care are provided remotely if necessary. An additional 905 people were in receipt of OST at the end of January 2021 when compared with January 2020 representing an 8.64% increase. A further €4.2 million is provided to support these additional service users in the HSE national service plan for 2021.
The Department has developed a 'Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services', in a planned and appropriate manner in line with public health advice. The working group of frontline service providers identified issues on which guidance and supports are required. The framework is a living document and is being updated to take account of level 5 restrictions.
In addition, the Department issued guidance for the continuation of drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes during the pandemic in line with the public health advice. The guidance recognises the important role of support groups and programmes in helping individuals to build recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use.
The Department provided once-off funding of €480,00 in November 2020, to support the resumption of drug and alcohol services including the adaptation of services, premises, online meetings and personal protective equipment. This funding was distributed to frontline service providers through the national network of 24 Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Each task force could apply for up to €20,000 in once-off funding to meet Covid-19 related costs. This new funding is an important component of the Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services.
From the outset of the pandemic, proactive measures were put in place to respond to an increase in mental health needs. While some face-to-face mental health services are limited because of COVID-19, a number of organisations are providing online counselling and support, phone support and or text support. A comprehensive list of mental health supports and services during Covid-19 is available on HSE.ie.
Additional resources have been provided for drug and alcohol services working with the homeless population during the pandemic. Here are some headline statistics:
- 282 medically vulnerable homeless individuals in shielding facilities
- 65 DRHE Covid positive homeless service users in our DRHE/HSE Covid Isolation facilities
- 105 DRHE service users who are suspect or close contact cases in our DRHE/HSE Covid Isolation facilities
- 1,000 service users who are accommodated in LTA or other facilities who receive significant support and hand have complex health vulnerabilities
- 52 staff in DRHE funded services who are Covid positive are being supported.
I believe the experience of Covid-19 has reinforced the need to treat drug and alcohol misuse as a public health issue. The national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, provides the roadmap to a health-led approach to drug and alcohol misuse. I am currently overseeing a mid-term review of the strategy, which build on the many innovative measures developed during Covid-19.
