More funding needed to address 'escalating addiction crisis', warns recovery group

In its pre-budget submission, Tabor Group said the need for addiction treatment services in Ireland has reached crisis levels, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the covid pandemic.

Addiction treatment provider Tabor Group has issued an urgent plea for more government funding to address what it called the “escalating addiction crisis”.

The organisation, which has been providing addiction recovery services for over 35 years, says it is under pressure to guarantee its 36 treatment beds in aging buildings that are in urgent need of upgrade, that it is expecting shortfalls in revenue funding this year, and is struggling to keep pace with the growing needs of those seeking help.

In its pre-budget submission, the group said the need for addiction treatment services in Ireland has reached crisis levels, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the covid pandemic.

National statistics from the Health Research Board in 2023 show:

• A 228% increase in cases where cocaine was the primary drug from 2017 to 2023;
• A 600% increase in crack cocaine use during the same period;
• Cocaine overtaking opioids as the most common problem drug in 2022.

The report shows one in five drinkers in Ireland, the equivalent of 600,000 people, is classified as having alcohol use disorder.

The economic burden of alcohol harm is considerable, with a 2014 analysis estimating the cost at €2.35bn a year, encompassing healthcare, crime, road accidents, and lost productivity.

Recent estimates suggest alcohol-related harm may cost Ireland between €9.6bn and €12bn annually, representing up to 1.9% of GDP.

A 2023 Economic and Social Research Institute report found that around one in 30 adults in Ireland is now engaged in problem gambling, a sharp rise from earlier estimates of 40,000 to 60,000 people.

Despite these worrying trends, addiction treatment services remain the “poor relation” of the health service, the Tabor Group said, with no increase in the recurring baseline funding amount in the service level agreement with Tabor Group within the last decade, despite the rising pay, non-pay costs and inflation.

To break even in 2024, Tabor Group has to generate €3.4m in income to meet its obligations.

This significant underfunding would not be acceptable for the treatment of any other serious health condition, affecting an estimated 700,000 people and their families, the group said.

“Lack of realistic public funding is putting immense pressure on Tabor Group’s ability to guarantee the existing range of addiction treatment services and to keep pace with the growing needs of those seeking help,” the group said.

The current funding structure by Government, does not cover the full costs of providing residential treatment programmes.

“In spite of Government promises for section 39 organisations like Tabor Group, no public funding has been forwarded to meet these increased pay and pension costs, putting additional strain on the organisation’s finances.”

The group said as part of the Addiction Treatment Centre of Ireland pre-budget submission, it is requesting a €250,000 increase in funding.

But it is also seeking capital investment of €2m for the necessary upgrade of its flagship Tabor Lodge facility in Belgooly, Co Cork.

The historic building is in dire need of modernisation, with roof repairs, the renovation of rooms to provide single occupancy, en-suites and urgent repairs to outdated water and wastewater systems are all required.