Social Inclusion (pages 22 & 23)
In 2013 HSE South has committed an investment of an additional €1.8m per annum permanent funding for Addiction Services across the South following the conclusion of the successful pilot phase of a series of initiatives. This funding will provide the following:
 Mainstreamed funding for the new methadone clinics that were established in Wexford town, Waterford city, Kilkenny, Cork city and Tralee. The Waterford service has increased by 400% over the last two years from providing treatment to 20 individuals to over 80 individuals. A new service is being developed in South Tipperary.
 Mainstreamed funding for 10 Addiction Counsellors and 1,000 additional counselling hours.
 Mainstreamed funding for 8 Adult Residential Detoxification beds, and 4 Adolescent Residential Detoxification beds in the Voluntary Sector

Through the pilot phase of these initiatives waiting lists have been eliminated in various parts of the region, additional clinics and detoxification beds established and a start was made on implementing the Rehabilitation Strategy. Staff teams in Addiction Services were enhanced with additional staff providing multidisciplinary care planning. At the same time nearly twice the number of people accessed our services. As a result of the success of the pilot initiative, HSE South has prioritised the permanent funding of these initiatives from 2013 onwards. The ongoing investment in Drug and Alcohol Services has been critical to meet the complex needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

In 2013 HSE South will provide:
Drug and Alcohol Services
⌐ 7,500 treatments for substance misuse.
⌐ 22 community based detoxification beds
⌐ 115 residential rehabilitation beds
⌐ 28 step down beds