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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Drug Treatment Services.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

285 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the work undertaken by the group tasked with the development of a protocol for the treatment of under 18s, in relation to drug addiction treatment; the recommendations of the group; and when the publication of this protocol is expected. [23951/03]

A working group for the implementation of this action of the national drug strategy has been established and is chaired by an official from my Department. The working group comprises members of the statutory and voluntary sectors.

To fulfil its remit, the group undertook a number of initiatives, including an examination of the legal issues surrounding treatment a literature review carried out by the Addiction Research Centre, a review of services and service gaps nationally, focus groups of services misusers within and outside the ERHA region and a review of the treatment issues raised by the above by a consultant adolescent and child psychiatrist in substance abuse.

I understand that there is broad agreement on the core issues which will form the body of the group's report, specifically in relation to the legal and other dilemmas facing professionals in this field, the preferred model for the treatment services, and access to services. However, I also understand that some further consultation and consideration is required in relation to certain aspects of its work, and that the group hopes to finalise its report by the end of the year.
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