Interactive map highlights drug treatment services across Cork city and county

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024 - 16:31

Rachel Lysaght

A new interactive map of publicly-funded drug treatment and drug-related family support services has been launched.

The map provides information on local services for people to address their drug or alcohol use, and for families and concerned others who are struggling to deal with a loved-one’s drug or alcohol use.

It features 38 services in Cork; 25 in the city, and 13 in the county.

The map was launched by Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke, who said that the resource helps people to identify and access drug services in the community.

“People using the database will be directed to services in their community, in line with the Sláintecare principles of delivering the right care in the right place, at the right time.

“Enhancing access to, and delivery of, drugs services in the community is a strategic priority in the national drug strategy,” he added.

Visual database

The project represents the first time such a visual database has been produced and features 442 services across Ireland in receipt of public funding.

Former lord mayor and Fianna Fáil councillor for the Cork City South West ward, Colm Kelleher, welcomed the initiative.

“I believe there is no family in the country that isn’t touched by some form of addiction. This is another piece of the puzzle in relation to addiction services both locally and nationally,” he added.

“For a person dealing with any form of addiction, it takes awhile for them to realise they have a problem. They tend to reach out to family members who may be completely oblivious to what services are available. An interactive map such as this is effectively a yellow pages for what is out there and will point people in the right direction.”