Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned about this area because we are aware of the relationship between alcohol, drugs and even gambling and mental health and how they are so closely linked. Gambling probably has the highest rate of suicide out of all the addictions. When I worked as a therapist in the Rutland Centre, I do not think I had met anybody in there with an addiction who did not have underlying issues with mental health, depression, anxiety and stress. My concern is they are not really under the umbrella of mental health, which plays such a huge role. I know a new youth task force has been set up by the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and it is a fantastic idea. However, my concern is that nobody on that task force is talking about dual diagnosis or the role of alcohol, drugs or gambling and young people. I know that gambling in particular has gone off the Richter scale because there is such easy access to it on the Internet. From a mental health and addiction point of view, people need to work together. The issue needs to be addressed.

The services around addiction are atrocious. There are no services specifically for alcohol on the west coast, which is shocking. Again, I return to the fact that three people a day die from an alcohol-related illness. I agree with Senator Kelleher about round-table discussions, meetings involving all of the services and, in particular, about the importance of being citizen-driven. It is vital.