More than 500 heroin addicts in Limerick

THE number of heroin addicts waiting to access a methadone treatment programme in Limerick is at an all-time high.

The disclosure came yesterday from the head of the HSE drug and alcohol treatment service in the mid-west counties.

Rory Keane said there are 175 heroin addicts undergoing methadone treatment in the region, the vast majority in Limerick city.

A further 35 who have been assessed and approved are currently waiting for admission to the methadone programme. As a result of the escalating heroin problem, the waiting period has now gone from six weeks to 16 weeks.

Mr Keane said their treatment client number of 175 would indicate that there are more than 500 heroin addicts in the Limerick area. Most are now using the drug intravenously.

The Garda divisional drugs squad recently estimated there were between 300 and 600 heroin addicts in greater Limerick.

Mr Keane said: “Up to 70% of the number of heroin addicts in the region would be in the city.

“Over the past two to three years we have seen a steady increase in the demand for our services in relation to heroin abuse and we are seeing a lot more intravenous heroin use.

“For every client we have on treatment we estimate there are two to three times that number in the community who have not sought access to our services.”

He said there were “very real concerns at the increase in heroin use” in Limerick. “We are seeing certainly a lot of younger clients, people in their early 20s beginning to present themselves.

Over the past 18 months we have begun to see the figures go up on a steady basis.

“Previously, there would have been two to three people a month commence treatment, but we are now seeing 10 clients a month start treatment. I think we will go on to see an increase in demand for our services and the waiting list is proof of that,” he added.

Mr Keane said he was not surprised by developments on the heroin scene in Limerick.

“The writing was on the wall given the housing conditions. The economic recession has a significant impact on people who were already vulnerable.

“What we are seeing is the level of homelessness in the city increase and people are in a lot more vulnerable, high-risk situations. Their vulnerability to drug and alcohol misuse increases, because of the circumstances they are in,” he said.

The methadone programme in Limerick is managed by four GPs.

Mr Keane said their services will be broadened later this year when they move into a bigger centre in Mungret Street and additional staff will includea psychiatrist and a psychologist.