Addiction centres operating in drugs blackspots need State aid to address the problem effectively, writes Conor Lally
Just a few miles outside Tullow, Co Carlow, chatter and laughter come from the back garden of the farmhouse at St Francis Farm. A group of 10 people from different parts of the country have come to stay at the farm for a year to give up drugs.
During their 12-month stint, counsellors help drug users to go through their life experiences, discussing them with each other and with staff over and over again. They must face their demons in the hope of taming them and staying drug free once they leave this place.
Mr Ken O'Connor has worked as a counsellor at the farm and residential rehabilitation for the last six years. "It is certainly a big culture shock for people entering here. We try to tool people up for what is ahead of them when they leave here."
He said most returned to where they came from, and the old temptations were there. "But we try to prepare people for dangerous high-risk situations," he added.
The centre is run by the Merchants Quay project in Dublin. It is a working farm, and all residents have house chores and help to work the land. The farm opened as a rehab in 1998 after the former owner left the 220-acre estate to the Franciscans. The order granted a request by Merchants Quay that it be allowed to have the farm for the rehabilitation of addicts.
The centre relies heavily on fund-raising, and clients must also find some of the funds to pay for their own stay. This is despite the South Eastern Health Board area, where the farm is located, being one of the worst drug-affected regions outside Dublin.
Carlow has the highest number of heroin addicts in treatment in the State outside the greater Dublin region: 21.2 cases per 100,000, according to new figures compiled by the Health Research Board.
The figures show that the South Western Health Board area, with 71 new cases per 100,000 population presenting for treatment for all drug types each year between 1998 and 2002, is the worst affected area outside the greater Dublin area. Those working with drug addicts in the south-west also report a similar lack of funding.
Mr Con Cremin, executive director of Talbot Grove residential rehabilitation in Castleisland, Co Kerry, told The Irish Times that it costs €4,400 to provide treatment for a 30-day stay.
"The State lends very little support. The health board supports some people and we are very grateful for that. Many people would have medical cards, but that doesn't necessarily entitle them to any cover. We would probably get around 5 per cent of our overall budget from the State every year."
The centre has 18 staff and, like the Merchants Quay project in Co Carlow, was given its building by the religious orders.
"The prevalence of cocaine has certainly increased," says Mr Cremin. "Two or three years ago when we had clients here who had used cocaine they were very much the exception. That's not the case now. Cocaine is not up there as the primary drug of addiction, but it is the secondary problematic drug for a lot of people."
Mr Willie Collins, co-ordinator of the Southern Health Board's drugs and alcohol services, said his region was on the verge of a chronic drugs epidemic.
He called on the Government to begin funding the regional drugs task forces, something it has failed to do almost half way through the eight-year National Drugs Strategy.
While the task force for Cork and Kerry receives around €100,000 per year for administration, no funds have yet been made available for substantive work.
"We've no indication at all from the Government as to what is going to be available.
"For the next three of four years it would be helpful if we had an indication. There is a need for clarity."
He said cocaine was becoming a growing problem in the region. It is a worry that with cocaine use spreading, crack cocaine may creep in a lot easier.
"It's a lot more addictive than heroin and much harder to treat."