Vol. 475 No. 1
61 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health whether he will set up a help-line for parents who are concerned that their children may be abusing controlled substances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2142/97]
Limerick East): Following Government decisions of 20 February 1996, all health boards were asked to establish a contact service which would provide information, advice and assistance on drugs to the public. In the larger boards, that is the Eastern and Southern Health Boards, a dedicated line is required for this service, while in the smaller boards the service is incorporated in a more general information line. Appropriate arrangements with a responsible voluntary group is also an effective way of doing this.
A national information line was operated in 1996 in conjunction with a multi-media drugs awareness campaign. Feedback from this campaign would indicate that the take-up on the phone line was low and that the better option would be for each region to put in place easily accessible information lines, which could be contacted by people at a regional level.
In the Eastern Health Board the necessary refurbishment and infrastructure has been put in place during 1996 in order to establish a regional helpline. A co-ordinator has been recruited who is preparing a plan for the operational aspects of the service. Training of staff who will be involved in answering calls is being provided by the board. It is hoped to have the line operational in the coming weeks.
A helpline has been operated in Cork by the Southern Health Board since 1995 and its operation is currently being evaluated. The SouthEastern Health Board provides funding to a voluntary agency which provides an ongoing help-line service particularly to parents in the region. This arrangement works well and the service provided by the voluntary group complements the services provided by statutory agencies in the board. Other health boards are developing better means of providing information and advice to the general public.
