Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

257 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the success of the treatment of drug addiction; the indicators used to show whether the situation is improving; if he will appoint an independent person to carry out a review of official policy in this area to ensure that policy is tackling the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22375/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The main focus in the treatment of drug addiction is the provision of treatment facilities to respond to the problem posed by heroin addiction in the Dublin area. The aim is to develop a multifaceted integrated approach which will range from education and prevention through treatment, both in-patient and out-patient, to after care and rehabilitation. The ultimate objective is to return the drug user to a drug-free lifestyle.

In so far as treatment is concerned, the rationale behind the provision of such treatment is to attempt to reduce the damage caused by heroin misuse to the individual drug misuser, to his or her immediate circle of family and friends and to society generally. In this regard it is worth noting that the percentage of HIV positive cases attributable to intravenous drug use has fallen since the introduction of harm reduction measures such as needle exchange and methadone maintenance programmes for opiate misusers. In addition, I understand that the reduction in crime figures recently reported by the Garda Síochána is partly attributable to the increase in the number of treatment places for drug misusers. During 1997 the Eastern Health Board provided treatment for an additional 900 drug misusers.

The Eastern Health Board's drug treatment services were evaluated by two international experts in the drug field in 1996. The overall conclusion was that the board was following best international practice in developing its drug services and that it should continue with such development. These experts also noted that there is reasonable evidence internationally that treatment interventions provide a high level of return immediately for money spent. I am satisfied, therefore, that the approach being pursued in response to the drug problem is the correct one and that it is in line with best international practice.