By Róise Collins
A LETTERKENNY councillor is urging for more detox beds to be made available for those battling drug and alcohol addiction in Donegal.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle emphasised that while the county boasts a variety of effective community-based day services, there is a significant gap in long-term detox options.
Cllr McMonagle argues that additional detox beds would provide individuals with a stronger foundation for transitioning into existing step-down rehabilitation facilities.
Currently, there are just 12 detox beds available in the county. These beds are provided by White Oaks, a privately run addiction treatment centre.
However, the facility serves not only Donegal but also the surrounding areas of Derry and Tyrone, further stretching the limited resources available.
“There are many people who find themselves in this position, and some are taking the most extreme way to get out of their addiction because they feel like there isn’t the help and support in the area that they’re in,” said Cllr McMonagle. “We want to try and prevent that and get as many people away from alcohol and drug addiction as we can. I think the best way to do that is with more places for long-term rehabilitation. That means more detox beds in Donegal.”
Cllr McMonagle, who is also involved with Letterkenny CDP, an organisation offering alcohol and drug misuse programmes, has seen first-hand how critical these services are.
He shared that individuals undergoing rehabilitation have expressed how detox beds have greatly assisted in their recovery.
In response to Cllr McMonagle’s call, a spokesperson for the HSE said they would engage with the regional drugs and alcohol forum, the body responsible for allocating resources, to assess whether there is capacity to increase the number of detox beds in the county.
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