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Home > Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to upgrade and or establish treatment facilities in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. [10904/11]

[Oireachtas] Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to upgrade and or establish treatment facilities in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. [10904/11]. (11 May 2011)

URL: http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/05/11/00129...


167.  Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to upgrade and or establish treatment facilities in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation services; if he favours community-based treatment units or larger facilities based in urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10904/11]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Róisín Shortall): There have been significant changes in the patterns of drug misuse, involving a greater range of drugs, increased use of cocaine, poly-substance use (including alcohol) and a greater geographical spread of problem drug use.
 
A priority of the National Drugs Strategy (interim) 2009-2016 is to develop an integrated national treatment and rehabilitation service for all substance users. The Strategy targets a 25% increase in residential rehabilitation places by 2012 based on 2008 figures. The HSE’s Service Plan for 2011 identifies the need to develop treatment services in residential and community based settings. Additional funding of almost €2.5m has been provided to the four regions of the HSE for the development of additional frontline addiction services including additional psychology services, counselling and outreach services. The HSE is also working to provide additional detox beds.
 
Each year over the past six years the HSE has increased its provision of methadone, both in clinics and in the community. The number of patients attending for treatment has increased by 25% from 9,917 in 2004 to 12,553 in 2010. Each year, over the past five years, 800 new clients have been provided with methadone, an increase of approximately 7.5% per annum with around 450 per annum successfully completing their treatment episode in any one year.
 
Written Answers - Health Services
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Vol. 732 No. 1 (Unrevised)
Item Type
Dail Debates
Source
Oireachtas
Date
11 May 2011
EndNote
View
Subjects
B Substances > Alcohol
HJ Treatment method > Substance disorder treatment method > Substance replacement method (substitution) > Methadone maintenance
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Rehabilitation
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Health care programme or facility > Substance disorder treatment unit
J Health care, prevention and rehabilitation > Health care programme or facility > Community-based treatment (primary care)
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland

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