Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The HSE provides methadone as an opiate replacement to support those who are addressing their heroin misuse problem. Methadone is a controlled drug regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1998. Only GPs who are trained as level 1 or level 2 for methadone prescribing are permitted to participate. The HSE, through the Irish College of General Practitioners, facilitates GPs to train at level 1 and 2. Level 1 GPs can provide methadone in a community-based setting to stabilised patients who do not require methadone clinic services. The HSE encourages all GPs to take part in this training. Level 2 GPs are trained to offer the full range of treatment services to opium dependent patients including assessment, initiation of treatment when appropriate and stabilising a drug user.

Persons receiving methadone treatment are registered on the central treatment list, operated by the Drug Treatment Centre Board. At end April 2011, the central treatment list recorded 9,289 patients attending treatment in clinical facilities within the HSE Dublin north east region. There has been a focus over the past year or two on increasing the availability of drug treatment services outside Dublin. Significant progress is now being made by the HSE. Additional services have been provided in the south east at Wexford town, Waterford and Kilkenny, in the southern area at Cork and Tralee, in the mid-west at Limerick city and in the north east at Dundalk. The HSE is progressing plans to provide methadone facilities in the midlands, Drogheda and Wexford county to address waiting lists and times in these areas.

Approximately two-thirds of those in receipt of methadone continue to receive their service in clinics, with the remainder under the care of GPs. I would like to see an increasing transfer of clients from clinics to GPs in coming years, subject to the agreement of the service users and adherence to good clinical practice. The acquisition of GPs for the methadone treatment programme is not an easy task. The HSE has advised that it has identified two potential level 2 GPs who are available to commence in the Drogheda area. An additional level 1 GP has also been identified and the HSE is awaiting return of a signed contract from the person concerned.

The Louth Community Drug and Alcohol Team is funded by the Department of Health through the north east regional drugs taskforce. The taskforce has allocated just over €116,000 in 2011 to the Louth Community Drug and Alcohol Team. This funding enables it to employ two members of staff. Both staff members are actively involved in one-to-one work with individuals with an alcohol and-or substance use issue, and this also includes working with family members and concerned persons. Louth Community Drug and Alcohol Team provides services and supports for people in active addiction, particularly those who are hoping to stabilise, reduce or become totally drug or alcohol free. Working from a harm reduction perspective through individual supports and group programmes the service also supports the delivery of a needle exchange service in Drogheda. It also strives to provide families with adequate information and support on addiction related issues, including the provision of information to the wider community. The two full-time staff work alongside sessional counsellors, trainees, volunteers and placement students to provide a low-threshold tier 2 or 3 service. Unfortunately, there is no funding available to support an additional family support worker. I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter.

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