Róisín Shortall
Ceist:136 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health the treatment, if any, that is available to heroin smoking drug addicts in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7240/96]
Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Facilities.
Limerick-East): The provision of drug treatment services in the Eastern Health Board area is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance.
Drug misusers who smoke heroin have available to them the full range of services provided at the various drug treatment centres with the possible exception of methadone maintenance treatment.
The provision of methadone is being dealt with in the context of the development of services in the Dublin area for those misusing drugs. The Government decision of 20 February regarding demand reduction measures to combat drug misuse, directed that the Eastern Health Board would respond to this problem, as a matter of urgency. The board's regional co-ordination committee on drug misuse has been requested to formulate specific proposals and Protocols on the provision of services for persons who smoke heroin.