Overdose warning

Heroin addicts in Cork are not getting fast access to Methadone Treatment Programmes, which could be causing some to overdose. Cork's Methadone Treatment Programme currently has 150 members, while there are a further 14 people waiting to access the programme, according to the HSE. However, to be included on the waiting list, people must be assessed, and one city councillor says the low figures are merely due to delays in the assessment procedure.

Cllr Jonathan O'Brien, a member of the Cork Local Drugs Task Force told the Cork Independent the low figure was worrying and did not reflect the number of heroin addicts seeking help across the city.

"There is a huge need for faster assessment for the Methadone Treatment Programme in the city. If an addict decides he wants to quit today, he needs quick access to support. He might not be able to quit it tomorrow."

The HSE told the paper that there are 14 people, "who have been clinically assessed as being eligible for the Methadone Treatment Programme, on the waiting list who will be seen in the coming weeks".

Source: Christine Allen, The Cork Independent, 02/09/2010

Posted by Andy on 09/02 at 12:56 PM in

(1) Comments

Comments

#1. Posted by Tim Bingham on September 02, 2010

Firstly I welcome that the issue in regards to the risk of overdose has been highlighted in the media, its essencial that more information in regards to ‘overdose’ is provided.

Cllr O’Brien highlights the stigma attached to pharmacists providing methadone, this really dose need to be addressed, stigma attached to methadone and heroin is a national issue and not just cork.

I am sorry to say that some of the national media have a role to play in stigmatising these individuals. Certainly the well publisised so called documentary in regards to Heroin in Cork has not helped. There are too many myths ‘out there’

Cllr O’ Brien goes onto say that ....the recent head shop legislation could lead to people experimenting with heroin. There is absolutely no evidence to back this up.

“We also need better education about the real dangers of heroin use” why just concentrate on the dangers of Heroin. Its widely reported that more young people drink alcohol than use Heroin. If we adjust our focus onto Heroin in the education programmes, then we are missing the point.

To give credit to the SRDFT, CLDTF and the HSE they have responded quickly in addressing the heroin issue. The issue of Heroin issue has only been recently acknowledged as a problem within the last 18 - 24 months. There has been a serious attempt to reduce the waiting list in Cork, and this will further be reduced when a methadone clinic open up in Co. Kerry .