Screening at schools will not curb rehab numbers, says centre director

DRUG screening programmes in schools will do little to curb the number of teenagers ending up in rehab, the director of the country’s only adolescent treatment centre said yesterday.

However, efforts to ensure help is available for teenagers, by referring them to a counsellor, is an exciting proposition, director of the Aislinn Adolescent Treatment Service, Sr Veronica Mangan, said yesterday.

Last year, the Kilkenny centre treated 151 addicts aged 15 to 21 who had developed problems because of their abuse of drugs and alcohol.

And the number of troubled teens looking for help is rising.

“I’m not sure if testing of pupils will make any real difference to us. By the time young people get to our door, it’s way beyond a case of testing,” Sr Mangan said.

“But what excites me is the proposal that expulsion would no longer be an option for schools, that they would have to deal with and help young people who have problems. A lot of the time, expulsion is not the answer,” she said.

The treatment centre, based in Ballyraggett, can cater for 12 people at a time. While alcohol is the number one problem, the scourge of drugs is also placing increasing pressure on the centre and its 17 permanent staff.

Aislinn has a waiting list, particularly for screening. While would-be patients can wait months to be screened, the waiting time for admission is typically three to four weeks, Sr Mangan said.

The programme is based on the philosophy of total abstinence from all mood-altering drugs.

Treatment is normally for six weeks, depending on the needs of the individual. Some people require longer.

Aislinn has an open referral policy and accepts teenagers from all over the country.

An interview is held at the centre and parents or the immediate family of an applicant is asked to attend the interview.

Admission is voluntary and prior to being accepted on the treatment programme, the client is asked to undertake a medical examination with a GP.

A detoxification programme is undertaken where necessary and someone is asked to accompany the client on admission.

There is a standard cost for treatment. Aislinn accepts VHI, BUPA and private patients.

Funding is also provided by health boards and the probation service.

Drugs for which treatment was sought at Aislinn

Alcohol 70%

Cannabis 20%

Ecstasy 3%

Heroin 3%

Amphetamines 1%

Prescribed medication 1%

Volatile inhalants 1%