Young drug users wait months for help

A SERVICE dealing with young drug users has said addicts are having to wait up to two months for an assessment due to staff shortages.

People looking to access the SASSY (Substance Abuse Services Specific to Youth) project in north inner city Dublin on average wait up to between six and eight weeks for an assessment, as the service struggles to deal with demand.

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at SASSY, Dr Gerry McCarney, said the service dealt with 103 referrals last year and 73 clients, an increase on the figure for 2008.