Sir, – In relation to Breda O’Brien’s article “Decriminalise drugs? We haven’t even learned how to handle our drink” (Opinion, October 29th), Alcohol Action Ireland welcomes a national discussion around the need for more and better drug treatment services.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs made a clear and strong recommendation: “Government should allocate significant additional funding on a multi-annual basis to drugs services across the statutory, community and voluntary sectors to address existing service gaps, including in the provision of community-based and residential treatment services.”
Although the citizens’ assembly didn’t specifically consider alcohol in its deliberations, its recommendation regarding treatment services, if implemented, should benefit those seeking alcohol treatment, as drugs and alcohol treatment services are delivered together.
Health Research Board data indicates that about 578,000 individuals in Ireland have an alcohol use disorder.
How can I find out about an owners’ management company before I buy an apartment?
Michael Murphy: Kerry need to find a better way of managing David Clifford
If the Democrats are to have any chance now, they will have to be brave
‘Six-million puzzles pieces’: The Jerusalem centre working to keep alive the memory of the Holocaust
Last year there were 7,421 alcohol treatment cases, meaning about 1 per cent of individuals with alcohol problems are accessing treatment – far below the international average of 10 per cent.
Despite the dedicated work of many in this area, the barriers to accessing treatment include long waiting lists, a lack of structured treatment pathways, stigma and the lack of trauma informed services to properly assist people.
People in addiction have likely suffered trauma due to adverse childhood experiences, which can lead to mental health issues and risky behaviours such as problem substance use, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide.
There is also a critical need for support services for all those impacted by an individual’s addiction, including family and children.
Person-centred trauma-informed services would ensure that people’s rights are at the centre of policies and practices. It is vital that services are evaluated and monitored for effectiveness where State money is allocated. In respect of residential treatment services, currently there is no HIQA inspection of residential treatment services, despite this being recommended in a HSE report in 2007.
The citizens’ assembly has done a great service to the State by lifting the lid on inadequate treatment services and by making clear and unequivocal recommendations. The development of modern State-run services could be funded by placing a public health levy on the alcohol industry to pick up the tab for the harm its product causes. – Yours, etc,
JENNIFER HOUGH,
Head of policy and advocacy Alcohol Action Ireland,
Dublin 7.