This article is from page 16 of the 2008-09-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
FUNDING has been provided for the appointment of an addiction coun- selor at the Bushypark Treatment Centre in Ennis.
It was announced last week that €57,000 had been allocated to the centre by the Department of Com- munity, Rural and Galetacht Affairs. One of the main roles that the new counsellor will fill will be the estab- lishment of weekly aftercare groups to assist cocaine users who have completed treatment in one of the four centres in the mid-west region.
Welcoming the announcement, Minster of State Tony Killeen said ‘“Bushypark has provided many years of invaluable service as a resi- dential addiction treatment centre for those addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling. I hope that the funding allocated to the centre will help in- dividuals and their families recover from cocaine addictions and regain control of their lives.”
Minister Killeen added that tack- ling cocaine use and implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Re- habilitation remained priorities for
Government.
“It is important that we continue to treat the problem of cocaine use. This funding will assist Bushypark Treatment Centre assist in develop- ing vital services for those experi- encing problems,’ he concluded.
Bushypark Treatment Centre is a facility designed to help individu- als and their families by providing a comprehensive addiction treat- ment programme. This programme is based on the Minnesota model of treatment, using 12-Step work as its foundation.
The recovery-oriented activities
offered at the centre include group therapy, addiction education, coun- seling, study, meditation, therapeutic duties, and 12-step meetings.
Family or other concerned persons of the individual in treatment can also participate in an education and Support programme. This is as nec- essary for them as it is for the person in treatment.
Weekly group meetings over a two- year period follow residential treat- ment. These sessions assist ex-resi- dents and family members make the necessary adjustments to living that are part of early recovery.