Demand for addiction treatment to soar
Latest figures from the Cork-based Arbour House treatment centre have revealed that during the first three quarters of 2008 a total of 1,300 people were referred to the service for a string of addiction issues, with almost one in every three referrals involving patients under the age of 23.
David Lane, co-ordinator for drug and alcohol services in the HSE south, said while there had been no significant rise in referral numbers in the six months since the last official figures — due to the ongoing economic crisis — drug alcohol and addiction services nationwide were preparing for a significant increase in demand over the next two years.