Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004
174 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on recent research from the Health Research Board which shows that drug use outside Dublin trebled between 1998 and 2002 and there has been an increase in the number of persons seeking drug treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22757/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra225 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he intends to take following the findings of the drug misuse research division report that the incidence of treated problem opiate use has increased sharply and that this increase in the number of new problem opiate users indicates a spread of heroin use in the seven health board areas, with very high rates of treated opiate use in counties Carlow, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Westmeath. [22748/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra229 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently released Health Research Board report on drug use here. [22904/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 225 and 229 together.
The report by the Health Research Board to which the Deputies refer — Trends in Treated Problem Opiate Use in the Seven Health Board areas outside the Eastern Regional Health Authority, 1998 to 2002 — was launched in early September. The report shows that the numbers in treatment for heroin use outside the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, have increased significantly in that four year period. As the Deputies may be aware, this is in line with one of the key commitments in the National Drugs Strategy 2001 — 2008, which is to increase the number of treatment places available for drug misusers.
While in percentage terms the increase in the numbers in treatment in the regions is considerable, it is important to bear in mind that the vast bulk of methadone treatment continues to take place in the ERHA area. In this regard, the Department of Health and Children, which has overall responsibility for addiction services, reports that at the end of August 2004 there were 7,190 people receiving methadone treatment, of which 95% was in the ERHA area. This overall figure compares with a figure of 5,032 in December 2000 — an increase of over 40%. In addition, it is worth noting that there are 59 drug treatment locations in the eastern region, an increase of 47 locations since 1996, while outside the ERHA, seven treatment clinics have been established.
To date, the treatment services in the regions are undergoing a similar pattern to that observed in the ERHA area when treatment availability was expanded, that is, that existing drug users are much more likely to come forward and present for treatment as it becomes more available, accessible and attractive. Accordingly, as the services have expanded so have the numbers in treatment, which is a positive development as it indicates that services are meeting an existing demand.
The Deputies should also note that all health boards are working towards increased involvement of general practitioners and pharmacists with the methadone protocol. In July 2001, there were 168 GPs and 233 pharmacists involved in the scheme in comparison with 219 GPs and 317 pharmacists involved at the end of August 2004.
In relation to the trends in opiate misuse in the seven health board areas, in particular in counties Carlow, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Westmeath, I assure the Deputies that I will continue to monitor the situation. The programme for Government calls for monitoring the use of heroin, in particular outside of Dublin, and in this regard, the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, is in the process of setting up an early warning system to address this issue.
The Deputies should also note that the best estimates on opiate use were released by the NACD last year and research found that there were approximately 2,200 heroin users outside Dublin, although a number of these would be in Wicklow and Kildare which is part of the ERHA region.
The Deputies should note that the regional drugs task forces, which were set up to develop appropriate policies to deal with drug misuse in the regions, are mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas as well as the range and level of existing services with a view to better co-ordination and addressing gaps in the overall provision. Where opiate use is a problem in particular areas, I would expect that this will be reflected in their action plans coming forward. I look forward to receiving their plans over the coming months.
