Mid West earmarked for pilot to help people with drug and mental health problems

Mick Lacey, chair of the Mid West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum, said parents "are told if they have a drug problem, they need to sort that out first before the mental health service will take them.” 

Carol Moore of Dual Diagnosis Ireland said: "The majority of people in addiction have mental health issues." File photo

A pilot for a long-awaited health programme to help people with both a serious drug problem and a mental illness is due to start by the end of this year.

The HSE said it accepted there was a “clear need” for this intervention – which has been identified by health officials as far back as 2007. Advocacy groups and activists welcomed the development but said it was still just a “drop in the ocean” in terms of the ‘dual diagnosis’ (addiction and mental health) need among individuals and their families.