The Community Alcohol Response and Engagement (CARE) Alcohol Treatment Pathways Project can serve as a way forward in the treatment of problem alcohol use, which now affects every aspect of Irish life and places huge social, health and economic burdens on society, a GP specialising in addiction has said.

GP Coordinator for the Addiction Services Dublin North City and County Dr Hugh Gallagher made his comments as it emerged that the Department of Health had begun work on a new National Drugs Strategy (NDS).

“I was involved as the clinical lead in the programme and we believe that the learning from the pilot can serve as a way forward in alcohol treatment nationally and that the programme may be easily replicated,” Dr Gallagher told IMT. “It served especially as a significant aid to primary care services for those referred and was a very good example of the potential for interagency working in the area of substance misuse and addiction.”