Outside of the Eastern Health Board drug abuse rehabilitation services are provided mainly by the health boards. In the Eastern Health Board area, in addition to the services provided directly by the health board and Drug Treatment Centre Board, Trinity Court, Pearse Street, Dublin, is funded directly by my Department. Their original allocation for the current year is £910,000.
In 1989 the following projects were supported from lottery sources: The Eastern Health Board pilot Out-Reach project, including the Baggot Street Walk-in Centre, £300,000; the Anna Liffey project, £20,000; the Ballymun youth action project, £5,000; Community Action Against Drugs, £5,000; and the Mater Dei Counselling Centre, £25,000.
I have asked the Eastern Health Board to establish a second walk-in centre in the north city of Dublin and I am awaiting their proposals in this regard.
The Deputy will appreciate that the rehabilitation of drug abusers is only one aspect of dealing with a problem which requires co-ordination also in relation to prevention through education and information, law enforcement and social integration. I wish to assure the Deputy that such co-ordination exists at both national and local levels to ensure that the most effective anti-drugs strategy is in place.