Laois County Council has called on the Minister for Health to establish detoxification beds in Portlaoise Hospital.
This call comes following a motion that was put down by Labour Councillor Marie Tuohy.
Cllr Tuohy asked that three beds for alcohol and drug be set up with seven day admission pathways and integrated links to HSE addictions services and community recovery supports.
Cllr Tuohy said: “We are seeing more people presenting with serious alcohol and drug dependence.
“CADS (Community Alcohol and Drug Services) do great work but when someone is a high medical risk, such as those with a history of seizures, or unsafe safe environments to detox, they need hospital based medically supervised care.
“Right now, MRHP (Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise) has no dedicated detoxification beds.
“This means people in real medical danger due to addiction are kept in either already overcrowded emergency departments or sent home to unsafe situations. None of these outcomes are acceptable.
“Three detox beds would transform care available to families in this county.
“These beds would allow safe, supervised withdrawal care for the most vulnerable patients. This would prevent repeat emergency admissions and enable direct links with CADS teams to ensure every patient receives proper follow up and support.
“This is a small, practical, cost-effective proposal. The infrastructure is already there, the clinical expertise exists, and the need is unquestionable.
“The ask is simple and clear, it’s about giving people in our community a real chance at recovery.
“The ARC Project (Addiction, Recovery and Community) is a voluntary, community led initiative in Portlaoise supporting people in addiction recovery. and their families.
“It was co-founded by David Delany and Michelle Robertson. It offers a safe space where people can talk openly, reduce isolation and signposts people to appropriate services.
“They hold weekly meetings in partnership with Laois partnership. These meetings attract a mix of people in recovery and family members affected by addiction. ARC is run wholly on a voluntary basis and is free to all.
“This is just one section of people who have identified the urgent need for these beds. Having these beds would enable a complete path to full recovery which links to follow up services and in the long term, alleviates this huge problem.
“This would the first step in a joint approach to recovery. Unfortunately, the need is increasing so it needs to be tackled.
“The ethos of the HSE is to provide safe, equitable, person centred care whilst respecting dignity and promoting health and wellbeing.
“This includes the care of those in addiction. The mission of the HSE is to support the people of Ireland to live healthier and more fulfilled lives and to deliver high quality safe and accessible health and social care services when and where people need these. We need these detox beds in this county.”
The Labour Councillor received widespread support for her motion from her fellow Councillors.
Independent Cllr Caroline-Dwane Stanley said: “There isn’t a family in the community which hasn’t been impacted one way or another by the epidemic that is drugs.
“It is so difficult for those who want help to access detox facilities so this would be a great start for them.
“Over the years, I have got some families into counselling but this is a more specific treatment which is badly needed.
“Mental health is a big issue associated with addiction and we don’t have great services there either.
“It is an awful time for families and I hope that these beds can be got as it is practically impossible to get in.
“I know people that are sent to A&E and then sent home which is not the solution either.”
Fellow Independent Tommy Mulligan said: “There is an urgent need for these provisions in Laois.
“Recently, there was a homeless person in Portlaoise who I was asked to approach and it was clear that there were serious issues around drugs and alcoholism.
“There are no options though. The only option was for that person to present themselves as homeless to Laois County Council.
“This was a person who was in need of immediate care but there wasn’t anything available for them.”
