Call for improved treatment for addicts

06/07/2005 - 15:37:05
Findings released today show that treatment services for cocaine addicts in Ireland need to be brought up to date to deal with the growing problem.

The new report found that up to 10% of cocaine-related deaths were due to suicide, and that many users abused other drugs at the same time. It called for earlier medical intervention and better psychological services to help crack addicts.

Drugs Minister Noel Ahern agreed that staff training would improve the calibre of care: “We have engaged in a lot of new training schemes and projects for a lot of the community staff because a lot of people who are on cocaine are people who were previously on opiates.”