A VAN which will distribute the heroin substitute, methadone to drug addicts in Dublin is due to take to the streets this week.
The van is being introduced in an effort to reduce the pressure on the Eastern Health Board's drug clinics, which have long waiting lists of addicts seeking methadone treatment.
The Eastern Health Board (EHB) intends the van - which is about twice the size of an ambulance - to make scheduled stops of one hour at various locations throughout the city. It is expected to deal with up to 40 people at each location. A stop at its own headquarters at Dr Steeven's Hospital has been recommended by a report commissioned by the EHB from outside consultants.
There are 1,400 drug addicts receiving methadone treatment in Dublin with 500 on clinic waiting lists. In addition, a further 500 are not on lists but believed to be willing to enrol on a treatment course if more spaces become available.
The van will distribute methadone to addicts who have been registered with the EHB's drug services, but for whom places are not available on the counselling and therapy courses which normally accompany a methadone maintenance programme.