Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of detox places available in each prison here. [15505/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At present, any person entering prison giving a history of opiate use and testing positive for opioids on committal is offered a medically assisted symptomatic detoxification where clinically indicated. Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss with healthcare staff other treatment options. The Medical Unit in Mountjoy Prison has 9 spaces specifically allocated for a therapeutic drug free programme. This intensive programme is 6 weeks in duration and includes involvement from both prison based staff and external community agencies. Its aim is to assist prisoners in achieving drug free status. There is no specific limit on the number of such treatments available in each prison; the number of detoxifications carried out will be determined by the clinical needs of the prisoners presenting.