Demand for homeless services rises 20%

THE number of homeless people and drug users seeking help continued to rise last year, according to a leading charity.

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) said there was a 20% increase in demand for its homeless services and a 9% rise in its needle exchange service for drug users.

MQI director Tony Geoghegan said: “I think the increasing numbers of people coming for help to our open door services reflects a lack of options and opportunities out there for homeless people and drug users.”

The charity’s annual review for 2004 shows there were:

* 71,688 visits to the homeless unit.

* 28,000 visits to the needle exchange programme.

“Increases in the numbers coming forward for help have placed even greater pressure on the already inadequate number of detoxification and drug free treatment beds,” said Mr Geoghegan.

“There is also growing concern about the limited move on options available to drug users and people who are homeless.”

He said there were more than 7,500 people receiving methadone, a substitute drug for heroin, in the State. He said the fact that more drug users were looking for and receiving assistance was a good thing, but pointed out that it was only one of a range of options that should be available.

“It is deplorable that there are less then 30 detoxification beds and only 150 residential, drug-free beds to treat approximately 14,500 problem opiate users.”

He said Merchants Quay planned to expand its residential treatment services in Dublin and Leinster over the coming years.

Mr Geoghegan said the Mid-Term Review of the National Drugs Strategy, published recently, stated that detoxification places should be increased along with overall rehabilitation services.

“What we are asking is simply that the Government put new resources into detoxification and drug-free treatment options as a matter of great urgency,” he said.

The report shows that 450 new drug injectors accessed services last year, a similar number to 2003.

Merchants Quay runs a drop-in centre, a meal service, an information centre, a crisis support service and a primary healthcare service for homeless people.

There are also a number of housing settlement services, including access to different types of accommodation and support in handling money, budgets, relationships and training.

The charity also runs an outreach service, a family support service and a women’s project.