Call to use CAB cash for drug treatment

PROCEEDS from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) which have been linked to drugs should be used to fund drug treatment programmes, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has urged.

In its pre-budget submission it published yesterday the IMO points out that a significant portion of CAB activities are directed against criminals engaged in illicit drugs.

“Funding for much-needed drug treatment programmes could be released through the allocation of some of these proceeds,” it states.

The IMO also accuses the Health Service Executive (HSE) of running out of money as a result of its own mismanagement and putting the health and lives of the public in danger.

At the launch of the submission, IMO president Dr Paula Gilvarry said the Government must ensure in the budget that the current cash crisis did not filter through to services next year, she stressed.

The IMO also points out in its submission that cancer services, suicide prevention and substance abuse are all areas that need to be provided with secure and ongoing funding.

Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) in its pre-budget submission is demanding assurances that the National Cancer Strategy will be implemented within three years.

It also wants all existing cancer treatment services to be maintained until the eight national centres are developed and are fully developed, equipped and staffed to deal with demand.

And it is hoping that the Government will address the fundamental issue of equity in the budget by introducing a universal health insurance model and a single treatment waiting list for all patients.

The organisation is also calling for the introduction over a two-year time frame of free nationwide health checks, beginning with those over 50 years old.

Meanwhile, the Irish Patients Association (IPA) yesterday called for exchequer funds from duty on cigarettes to be ringfenced for cancer services.

IPA chairman Stephen McMahon said figures from the Department of Health showed it received last year €167 million from duty on tobacco.

This should be increased by €70 million and this funded directly on cancer services, the IPA chief said.

Mr McMahon added that the IPA also questioned whether the Government should consider prohibition on tobacco and the banning of tobacco sales.