Drug users face 3-month wait to access treatment

DRUG users who want to quit their habit are being forced to wait up to three months before they can access residential treatment at one of the country’s best known treatment centres.

To minimise the risk of addicts’ resolve lapsing, Coolmine Therapeutic Centre in Blanchardstown have established day programmes in communities around Dublin to help addicts to “stabilise” after they have been assessed and accepted for treatment. The demand for beds has led to greater problems outside Dublin, however, with smaller treatment centres like Arbour House in Cork also being forced to do “preparatory work” with users as southern addicts wait months to travel to Dublin.

Up to 40% of people attending Coolmine are from outside Dublin – a reflection of the growing abuse of cocaine and heroin in towns and cities outside the capital.