How vacant HSE buildings could be used to create a new public drug addiction centre in Wexford
Wexford PeopleCalls have been made for the establishment of a new facility in Enniscorthy for those dealing with substance addiction. Proposing that existing HSE buildings, currently vacant, be utilised for the facility, Councillor John O’Rourke said the centre could serve not just Co Wexford but the entire south east region.
"I would like to see us invite the Minister for Public Health (Jennifer Murnane) to Enniscorthy and ask her to explore the possibility of creating a new addiction centre here,” he said at the September meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD). “We currently have a number of HSE-owned buildings in the district which are no longer in use and they would be perfect for a regional rehabilitation centre.”
Outlining the huge cost of accessing private treatment for drug addiction, Cllr O’Rourke said a subsided facility would allow many more people in the south east to get the support they require.
"We could follow the lead of the Cuan Mhuire treatment in Athy, create something similar here,” he said. “A month-long stay in a private facility can cost up to €9,000 but the centre in Athy is supported by government funding and offers reduced rates for families who need it most.
"We can’t bury our heads in the sand on this, drug addiction is continuing to grow in our county, and getting the minister down to take a look at the options we have available here would, at the very least, be a good place to start.”
Cllr O’Rourke received overwhelming support from his fellow councillors with Pat Kehoe describing the motion as “brilliant” and something which was “badly needed” in the region.