Alcohol Our Biggest Strain

By GARY ANDERSON

BOOZE addiction is still the biggest strain on stretched HSE resources, a survey has revealed.

The HSE report found almost twothirds of all addicts using health services were hooked on alcohol.

Cannabis was the next major threat, with 12.2 per cent of HSE users in the South-East claiming they had a problem with weed.

The report also found heroin was a bigger problem than cocaine in the area.

The survey revealed a huge number of addicts – more than 25 per cent – drop out of programmes set up to help them.

Drug co-ordinator Tony Barden said: “The importance of collecting reliable data cannot be overstated.

“It allows the HSE and other Government departments to monitor the use of services and to plan services for the future. The collection of data from community groups provides an early warning system on the changing trends in drug use.”

Researchers looked at drug misuse across Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary.

They recorded 2,951 people contacted compulsory or voluntary treatment services, education and prevention services and supply and control agencies in 2007 – an in crease of 115 on the previous year. Alcohol accounted for 1,453 visits – 64.2 per cent of the total, with cannabis a less serious problem, attracting 12.2per cent – 276 people.

Slightly more than 10 per cent of misusers were addicted to heroin – 236 people – and cocaine was a problem for 154 people – 6.8 per cent.

The vast majority of people contacting the HSE – 2,621 – called for help with their own drink or drugs problem while more than 220 were worried about a friend or relative. And 64 people asked for help with problems such as gambling.

Health bosses in the region have set up a raft of new agencies to deal with the drink and drugs epidemic.

A Drug Task Force outreach service was established along with HSE satellite clinics and a special team now deals with Polish and Russian speakers.

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