Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

309 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug offenders serving time in prisons; the cost per week to the State for each person; the numbers on rehabilitation treatment and the cost of this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20083/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

336 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of places available for drug treatment and rehabilitation in the prison services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20549/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

339 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures, if any, taken to ensure the proper rehabilitation of drug abusers on their release from prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20552/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 309, 336 and 339 together.

Treatment for drug addicted offenders is available in all prison institutions as part of the general medical services available to all inmates. Any offender who is willing to make a real effort to stop abusing drugs and who shows the necessary commitment and motivation will be supported by appropriate medical intervention and therapeutic counselling. It is, unfortunately, the case that despite the availability of the treatment options many offenders continue to fail to grasp the opportunities provided to address their addiction. While the majority of offenders are imprisoned for offences which are not drug related, many commit offences as a direct result of their drug abuse history.

The majority of offenders with drugs problems are located in institutions in the Dublin area and in particular in Mountjoy Prison. During 1997, following medical assessment, approximately 1,650 inmates in Mountjoy Prison received the standard 14 day drug detoxification programme in the prison. The drug treatment unit has been in operation in Mountjoy Prison's Health Care Unit since July 1996. This programme is operated by the medical personnel in the prison and is aimed at weaning addicts off drugs by means of gradually reducing dosages of substitutes such as methadone. The programme is modelled on similar hospital based units in the community. Over 130 inmates have been admitted to the drug treatment unit since it opened. In the short time available it is not possible to get details from the prisons on the number of offenders currently on rehabilitation treatment. The cost of this treatment is not immediately available as it would include elements of the Probation and Welfare Service, Clinical Psychology Service, nursing and medical staff, the time of prison officers andexgratia payments to non-governmental organisations involved in counselling services.

There are a number of options open where inmates have completed the detoxification programme in the drug treatment unit. They can continue to serve their sentence in the general prison population; if they are considered suitable they can be granted temporary release to continue treatment with an outside agency or they may transfer to the drug free unit. This unit provides a sympathetic yet closely monitored setting in which those prisoners who are in the process of coming to terms with their addiction and who have achieved stable drug free status can serve out their sentences in an environment free from the temptations and risks associated with illicit drugs. The regime in the drug free unit also provides inmates with valuable opportunities in the form of a wide range of work and training related activities to assist in the rehabilitation process.

I am satisfied that the various treatment options available to drug addicts in prison are making a positive contribution to both the fight against drug abuse generally in Irish society today and to the health of the individual inmates who have the motivation to deal with their addiction. I recognise, however, that more needs to be done and I am currently examining options to improve the level of services available to drug addicted offenders.