All children have a right to a chance at life! This is an information booklet for parents and other concerned people, and gives an overview of the current drink/drugs problem, and policies and measures being taken by the Government.
The following questions and answers will give you a picture of Dublin city's drug crisis. Initially, it gives facts about the drug addiction epidemic, public policy and the availability of recovery facilities and the consequences. It examines what efforts have been put into helping addicted young people, especially those under 20 years of age, to recover and become drug free.
What we describe here as applying to Dublin also has relevance to the rest of the country, which is progressing along the same path. The same drugs policy is being applied throughout the country, which is increasingly experiencing similar out of control alcohol and drug problems as is Dublin.
The central component of this policy is the prescribing of the opiate drug Methadone for addicted people, from the very young up to those over 30 years of age. The offer of this powerful and highly addictive opiate drug feeds a young person's drug habit, deepens his or her addiction, and demotivates them from seeking or accepting recovery.
James Cumberton
Chairperson November 2002
Contents
Background to the spread of drug addiction
The problems of MethadoneMaintenance
Prevention needs - young people, parents, schools
Early intervention services needed
Criteria for the use of Methadone
The Justice system and Recovery from Drugs: Garda Junior Liaison Officers, Probation and Welfare Service, Courts and Drug Courts, Suspension of conviction records, Prison rehabilitation