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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

491 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the use of methadone in the treatment of heroin addicts, particularly for addicts under 21 years of age. [19795/02]

The overall objective of the Government's strategy in relation to drug misuse is to significantly reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research. With regard to treatment the objective is to provide a range of options to encourage and enable drug misusers to avail of treatment with the aim of reducing dependency and improving overall health and social well-being, with the ultimate aim of leading a drug-free lifestyle. This approach incorporates a broad range of activities which are the hallmarks of modern drugs strategies in other jurisdictions.

Methadone maintenance is internationally recognised as a valid and successful part of an integrated response to the drug problem. It has also been shown that it is possible to reduce the anti-social behaviour of intravenous drug users by taking them into treatment on methadone maintenance programmes. Internationally, there is a well-established research and a clinical evidence base for substitution treatment with methadone. On average, methadone maintenance is associated with lower rates of heroin consumption, reduced levels of crime and improved social functioning. A lower risk of premature mortality amongst maintained patients has been reported and substitution programmes have also contributed to the prevention of the spread of HIV infection.
The development of a protocol for the treatment of under 18 year olds presenting with serious drug problems is one of the actions set out in the national drugs strategy 2001-2008. A working group, chaired by an official from my Department and comprising members of both the statutory and voluntary sectors, has been established to implement this particular action. The extensive and ongoing work of the group includes a literature review of best practice, a consideration of the legal issues involved in the provision of treatment to under 18 year olds and a review of the current level of service provision in the area. The group expects to be in a position to report next year.
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