Claims of achievements of drugs strategy contested

A man addicted to heroin and in need of a high-dependency detox bed is down to six stone in weight and "lives on mashed Rice Krispies", the Dáil was told.

Highlighting a lack of suitable beds for dealing with such cases, Brian O'Shea (Lab) said the 20- year-old "has sores and I am told his teeth are falling out and his veins are collapsing. I understand the only suitable setting for him is in a controlled detox bed."

Such beds were available in Beaumont Hospital. "The young man is suicidal and in danger of dying" and his mother was receiving "no responses from the system". Mr O'Shea also said there were 300,000 cannabis users in the State of whom possibly 28,000 were addicted.

He was speaking as Minister of State Noel Ahern highlighted the improvements brought about through the National Drugs Strategy. While drug abuse remained a key challenge, more than 8,200 heroin users now received methadone, a 66 per cent increase on 2000.

Mr Ahern said there had been an 84 per cent increase in funding since 2004 and more than 440 projects were supported by the local drugs task forces.

The drugs strategy was mainly about heroin "because that is where it all started". He was "not suggesting that everything is perfect" and he acknowledged that "rehabilitation and a continuum of care" were weaknesses.

There were about 25 high-dependency detox beds in the public sector and a number in private trusts. A recommendation for extra beds had been agreed by the statutory bodies, but they were not necessary in every case. "Rehabilitation and detox in the community with relevant and appropriate aftercare is probably more important for most people. This is what we are trying to provide," he said.

Mr Ahern added that a survey conducted in the areas most affected by drugs showed that "facilities, treatment and services had improved".