This article is from page 6 of the 2013-06-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
UNEMPLOYMENT and social inequality is feeding a rise in mental health problems and drug abuse, according to the chairman of the Mid West Regional Drugs Task Force.
Mick Lacey was speaking at a meeting of drug support services in Ennis last month.
He said that the recession and austerity are indirectly leading to a “huge rise in suicide”.
Mr Lacey explained, “National statistics for suicide are not out yet but anecdotally there seems to be a huge rise in suicide, indirectly as a result of austerity. There has also been a rise in drugs issues and mental health issues right across the board. Social inequality, unemployment all contribute to this problem.”
He added, “There is a certain amount of people irrespective of our social and economic system who will get addicted. They are pre-disposed to it. But social inequality, marginalisation, unemployment and austerity have contributed to people who would normally not develop mental health or alcohol problems, being affected. We’re seeing a lot of that. People from right across the board.”
Mr Lacey said despite a near 4 per cent cut in funding, the task force has not reduced services.
He said, “We’ve something like € 1.4 million and we didn’t have to cut back services. We streamlined the services. We were able to set up community substance misuse team (CSMT), which we are very proud of because it takes a multi-dimensional approach. It’s not just about pathologising the addiction. We’re looking at the young person, relationships in the community, employment issues and identifying underlying mental health issues also.”
Mr Lacey also warned of a rise in the number of people using benzodiazepines.
He said, “Benzo use is huge at the moment. Benzo use and pharmaceuticals are being used right across the board.
“Not just with teenagers but we’re finding it a problem with young women and older women. Where as heroin you can treat it with methadone, with benzos it takes six months to get out of your system. You can be going through withdrawls for six weeks because of the half life of the drugs.”