Professor Joe Barry:

He is raising many of the issues we and this committee are raising. These are about methadone, benzodiazepines, alcohol and the framework of drug policy in Ireland. Much of what he is saying makes a lot of sense.

I turn now to the answers to some of the questions, and my colleagues may then wish to come in. I have underlined the issues I think I need to cover, but if I forget anything, the committee members can let me know. I have been involved in the drugs issue for about 20 years. As Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan outlined, methadone has a place - about that there is no doubt - and it has helped many families.

There was a review of the opiate treatment protocol carried out in 2010 by Professor Michael Farrell, who is a professor of addiction in the Maudsley in London. Some type of public health approach is needed in most communities where there is opiate addiction, but it should not be the overall emphasis. That review stated that there needed to be shift to promote recovery. If we stopped prescribing methadone in the morning, we would have major problems.

We have discussed needs assessments and care workers, which Mr. McAleenan mentioned. Every single person on methadone needs a full and proper assessment of his or her needs, desires and wishes, a point which needs to be repeated and has been recommended in several reports. That is how I would approach the issue. I may be wrong and Mr. McAleenan might disagree with me. We agree on most things, but we do not necessarily agree on everything. If one took methadone away, one would immediately have organisational problems. Our approach is to focus on recovery. They are not mutually exclusive, but the balance needs to shift in terms of resources towards recovery. A person assessed on day one may have a certain opinion and may return in six months time to say he or she is ready or wants to stop.