Drug treatment team closure
Deputy Coppinger raised general drug policy and the planned closure of the ADAPT drugs team in Dublin 15. The Taoiseach referred the matter to the Minister of State, who said discussions were ongoing to try to resolve the closure and preserve community services.
The Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Act was signed into law by the President. It has not yet been commenced. I wish to raise general drug policy in light of that. I am finding that the drug treatment teams in communities are closing down. I hope the legislation is not a ruse to distract from that. I would like the relevant Minister to comment on and intervene regarding the following scenario in Dublin 15. The board of the ADAPT drugs team has voted to close down its project. There used to be three community drug projects: Hartstown-Huntstown, Blakestown-Mountview and Corduff-Mulhuddart. They merged into one, which is now closing. Could the Government intervene because there is a huge drug problem in the capital, as we know, and certainly in Dublin West? ADAPT provides an holistic approach. It deals with many aspects, including helping families, and it also runs an around the clock needle exchange in Coolmine. I am sure the Taoiseach is not willing to see the project close without doing something to intervene. I am sure it is a complex issue but I ask the Taoiseach to try to intervene to save the service. A caretaker-director, for example, and a caretaker board could be appointed for now to attempt to keep it open. I would like a comment on that.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Coppinger. I have already spoken to Deputy Joan Burton regarding this matter. We had a long conversation.
We are in discussions in the Department to try to resolve it. The ADAPT programme in Coolmine is very important as, like all projects, it is based in the community. It deals on a daily basis with people with an addiction and, most of all, provides for needle exchange. Nobody, me included, wants to see any service closing down, but there have been a number of issues raised. I have promised the Minister, Deputy Joan Burton, that I will come back to her. I will try to get some answer today.
Comment on this
I thank the Minister of State and, by the way, Joan Burton is a Deputy.