Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Written Answers. - National Policy on Alcoholism.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

144 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce a national policy on alcoholism to ensure that all those who need treatment will have access to such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Alcohol related problems make a heavy demand on our psychiatric services. Traditionally those suffering from alcohol related problems have been treated in our psychiatric hospitals.

However, the report of a Study Group on the Development of the psychiatric services,Planning for the Future published in 1984 referred to the trend in Ireland towards greater specialisation in the management of alcohol related problems. This approach often involves costly in-patient care which tends to separate the treatment and management of alcohol related problems from community and social services. The report recommended that the emphasis in the management of alcohol related problems should be on community based intervention rather than on specialist in-patient treatment.

The recommendations of the report have been adopted by successive Governments and in line with this policy comprehensive community based alcohol treatment programmes are being developed by all health boards. There will, however, continue to be a need for detoxification facilities in hospitals and a small number of residential places for people who for social reasons, cannot benefit from day programmes.

The Government is particularly concerned about the problem of alcohol use and abuse generally and by young people in particular. As part of a strategy to implement a comprehensive national alcohol policy, the Government requested the Advisory Council on Health Promotion to develop such a comprehensive policy. The council is well advanced with its task and has prepared a number of research papers on the economic, cultural and social issues associated with alcohol abuse. It has also completed intensive consultations with relevant groups, including youth organisations.