Community drug projects welcome Government funding of €1.9m for addiction treatment services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: 'This funding represents another practical step in our efforts to strengthen the health-led response to drug use by enhancing access and delivery of drug services in the community, in line with the national drugs strategy.'

Community drug projects have welcomed Government funding of almost €1.9m over a three-year period to assist in the “essential life-saving” work carried out by local organisations.

The monies will be allocated across six health regions and are focused on increasing drug treatment in local areas.

Minister for the national drugs strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said the allocation of €1.89m was being made available through the Community Services Enhancement Fund.

“This funding represents another practical step in our efforts to strengthen the health-led response to drug use by enhancing access and delivery of drug services in the community, in line with the national drugs strategy,” she said.

“The six HSE health regions will each receive between €252,000 and €378,000 per year, with allocations based on population needs.” 

The minister of state at the Department of Health said by making drug treatment available as part of primary care, the State was helping to “reduce stigma of drug use” and meet the needs of those presenting.

Ms Murnane O’Connor said the programme for government committed to increase funding for drug addiction services, including local drug and alcohol taskforces.

She said the funding also aligned with the report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use, which reported in January 2024.

HSE clinical lead for addiction services Professor Eamon Keenan welcomed the announcement: “This funding will enhance the delivery of drug and alcohol community services in the newly established HSE health regions across the country. 

"This will allow evidence-based interventions to be provided in those areas of most need and these initiatives will be subject to measurements of outcomes, thus ensuring that the identified service need is met.” 

The funding will be allocated on three-year cycle, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023, which is an increase of almost 50% from 8,922 in 2017.

Anna Quigley, coordinator of Citywide, a national group representing community drug projects, said: “Citywide welcomes any additional funding that is made available for the essential life-saving work that is carried out by community drug projects across the country.

“There is very little recognition of the range and extent of the work they do on a daily basis, not only to support people who are using drugs, also their families and the wider community — our communities would be devastated without them.” 

Ms Quigley added: “However, we would emphasise the importance for the projects of having secure long-term funding that can be depended on and it is essential that the next national drugs strategy commits to putting this secure funding in place on a muti-annual basis.

“It is not acceptable that so many of our essential local services face into each new year with insecurity around funding levels and the resulting difficulties in planning ahead and recruiting staff.”