Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am answering on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. Methadone is one of the medications used in opioid substitution treatment along with suboxone. Methadone prescribing for opioid dependence is a key element of the harm reduction approach to opioid use set out in the national drugs strategy. As of 30 June, 10,396 people were in receipt of methadone maintenance treatment. A review of the methadone treatment protocol was published in December 2010. Arising from the review, the HSE implemented an opioid treatment protocol to provide appropriate and timely substance treatment and rehabilitation services tailored to individual needs. The focus in the strategy is on implementing the HSE national clinical guidelines on opioid substitution treatment published in 2016. These guidelines are the first that specifically relate to opioid substitution treatment in HSE clinics and primary care settings.

Opioid substitution treatment supports patients to recover from drug dependence. HSE addiction services work within the national drugs rehabilitation framework to support progression pathways.

The framework ensures that individuals affected by drug misuse are offered a range of integrated options tailored to meet their needs and to create rehabilitation pathways.

There is international research evidence that increased length of time in opioid substitution treatment is associated with improved treatment outcomes and short-term methadone maintenance treatment is associated with poorer outcomes. I believe that methadone treatment reflects the public health approach to drug and alcohol misuse set out in the national drugs strategy. It is an important tool to reduce harm and to aid people on their journey to recovery from drug use. I am committed to improving the availability of this treatment and to supporting service users to access progression pathways.

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