The new clinics will ‘eliminate waiting lists and ensure that the National Drug Strategy targets of waiting times of less than one month will be met,’ the Executive said. A total of 165 people will receive methadone maintenance in these clinics.
In all, 10,000 additional counselling hours will be made available in collaboration with voluntary providers in the region to support those endeavouring to recover from, and live with, addiction. A total of 400 people will benefit from this initiative, according to the Executive.
There will be five dedicated detoxification beds – four for adults in Cork city and one for adolescents in Kilkenny. The provision of these dedicated beds will facilitate access to residential rehabilitation.
At the recent launch of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 – 2016, Minister John Curran announced €1.1m capital funding to support the development of additional drug treatment clinics in designated areas nationally including HSE South.
This funding, together with additional funding of more than €2m from HSE South over the coming 12 months, will enable service providers to respond to the increased demand for addiction services in the region and to facilitate the reduction in waiting times for treatment.
Source: Gary Culliton, The Irish Medical Times, 19/10/2009
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