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 b0red5tiff
NWO Disinformation Agent
 
Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 18,449
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 Former addicts meet drugs minister [IRELAND] 
#8227885 - 04/02/08 11:48 AM (5 years, 1 month ago) |
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http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story/?trs=eyaukfeygb
THE reality of the drug problem in the West of Ireland was brought home to Minister for State Pat Carey when he made an official visit to Hope House in Foxford last Wednesday.
The minister, who has responsibility for the drug strategy, met eight former users of the addiction treat-ment services. He heard that just because the West does not have a major heroin problem, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a growing drug problem. The issue of addiction to over-thecounter medications was cited as a particular concern that the government must address.
Minister Carey, who also visited Kiltimagh CDP, and met the Western Regional Drugs Task Force (WRDTF), praised Hope House as one of the best facilities of its kind in the country.
He told Sr Attracta Canney and Sr Dolores Duggan that he had heard about the Fox-ford centre’s reputation, and hoped to see “a necklace of similiar units” all around the country. He said the fact that the centre is at the heart of the community in Foxford sent out a powerful message that addiction is a disease and should not be hidden away and stigmatised.
The minister was particularly impressed with the work done in the facility’s new extension, which was opened by his party colleague, Tanaiste Brian Cowen just one year ago.
Sr Delores described the decision to organise a meeting between the minister and former service users as “a brain wave”.
“We brought together a cross-section of former addicts to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, over-the-counter opiates and prescription tranquilisers. Everyone had five minutes with Minister Carey to share their experiences and to advise him in his role. He was very moved by their humility and honesty.
“We decided that the message was much more powerful coming for those who have been through the experience of addiction. Theirs is a voice that is not often included in the debate. The minister learned a lot from hearing what they had to say.”
Sr Attracta said that particular advice had been given to Minister Carey on the issue of addiction to over-the-counter drugs.
“The message was that while we don’t have an inner city-style drugs crisis, we do have a growing problem with addiction to the opiate-based pain killers. A box of certain tablets is the equivalent of a small bag of heroin, but painkillers are legal and far more freely available.”
The other message given to the minister was the need to continue to support facilities such as Hope House.
“The minister told us that new funding will soon come on stream to treat cocaine addiction, so we will be making an application,” said Sr Attracta.
“Let’s not fool ourselves, cocaine addiction is on the rise in the West, just as it is all over the country. The big, big difference we see now is the rise in people addicted to alcohol and a combination of drugs. We see very few people between 20 and 30 who don’t have a cross-addiction problem, where they are dependent on alcohol, cannabis and cocaine.”
“The new thrust in addiction treatment is the ‘continuum of care’ model,” explained Sr Delores. “That means that people get the on-going support they need after their primary treatment. At the moment, we offer after care on an out-patient basis. We have to refer men on to a centre in Navan for residential aftercare, and women to a centre in Cork. What we would like to do is provide residential aftercare in Foxford, so that could be on the horizon eventually.”
Minister Carey was joined on his visit to the Foxford centre by Deputy Dara Calleary and Senator John Carty.
Hope House has treated more than 1,500 people since it opened its doors in 1993. The centre received the Meitheal Mayo Award in 2007 from the Mayo Association in Dublin.
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