Women’s addiction centre project stalled due to lack of funds

A heartfelt plea to the HSE to commit to funding running costs for a proposed new addiction treatment centre in Navan for women, has been made by volunteers involved in the project.

The facility which is planned for the Slane Road has the potential to save many lives each year.

Plans for a secondary treatment centre for women on the Slane Road are well advanced but are being held up by the HSE's failure to provide confirmation they will fund the running of the centre.

“This centre is very badly needed. We know of at least six women, six mothers whose lives could have been saved, if there was such a centre for women,” said a spokesperson for the volunteers.

A site for the facility, which will be run in a similar manner to the Tabor House facility for men in Navan, has been provided by Tara Mines, Meath County Council has agreed to build the centre, but won't proceed to tender, unless its gets a commitment in writing from the HSE to fund the running costs.

A number of volunteers who were involved with Tabor House, a secondary treatment facility on the Trim Road in Navan, saw the need for such a facility for women.

“We decided to undertake this project and plans for the centre are well advanced. We have the site and planning permission and Meath County Council will go to tender if they get the necessary commitment in writing from the HSE,” said a spokesperson.

She explained that as confidentiality will be of the utmost importance at the treatment centre, the volunteers feel they need to remain anonymous to ensure that potential users of the facility aren't identified through them.

The new centre, which will be called Misneach, will offer a 12 week programme to addicts, who have been through the initial detox programme.

Bernie, one of the volunteers said “If somebody just comes out of detox with no support, they very often relapse very quickly.”

Bernie said that addiction counsellor, Sr Catherine, knows of at least six women who died in the past few months that could have been saved by a secondary treatment centre.

“They were all mothers and they died through overdose, accidents, suicide and and of illnesses relating to substance abuse.

“We would offer three months of treatment which would then be followed up by two years of aftercare, where they would attend weekly meetings.

“A lot of people in addiction may not have learned any life skills and that will be included in the programme.

“We give them the tools to live a normal life after addiction.”

Miriam, also a volunteer said that while men with addiciton very often have supportive wives, a mother is the kingpin of the home and when she is in addiction, the family's main support is missing.

“When a woman is drinking or taking drugs, she either ends up homeless with her children or without them. It does untold damage to children who often end up in care.

“For some reason society seems to be more forgiving of men who are addicts.

“The facility will have a family room because we want to make sure that children can visit at least once a week.

“In the long run, funding the centre will cost less than providing emergency accommodation or taking chldren into care.

“When somebody recovers from addiction, family relationships normalise. People learn to cope and families are supportive.”

The volunteers are frustrated that the project is now at stalemate and cannot proceed.

“Everything is ready now to go to tender, but we are at standstill.

“The council won't go to tender unless the HSE provides a letter to say they will fund the running costs.

“We have been told they will, but when asked for written confirmation, they say it is in the estimates for next year.”

Deputy Johnny Guirke has called on the government to commit to the facility which he said would help 48 women annually.

“They have been waiting since 2019 for the letter, and the introduction of such a centre for women will be the first of its kind in Ireland and will specifically help women who want to rebuild their lives,” he said.

“I’m asking that the Minister and the HSE make this commitment of a letter of promise so that they can bring forward their much needed plans for the centre which will be built in Navan.

“The work will see many families benefit from the secondary treatment centre, especially young children who suffer the most from the trauma of a parent with addiction,” he concluded.

The volunteers said they are very grateful to the HSE for funding the treatment centre for men.

“We are grateful to Tara Mines, without them we wouldn't have a site and to the council and the TDs, senators and councillors who have supported us.

“We just need the letter from the HSE so it can proceed. The centre will save lives and save children.”

A spokesperson for the HSE said; " Unfortunately it is not possible for Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation to commit to funding at this time, as budget allocation for 2023 is not yet decided. However, the CHO is seeking funding of €284,588 for day to day running costs, as part of our estimates process for funding in 2023."