Heath Minister Edwin Poots has been left in no doubt that Derry needs a 24-hour detox centre, according to local MLA Pat Ramsey.
The SDLP representative has revealed that in consultation with Mr Poots he made it “perfectly clear” a detoxification centre should be sited in Derry and resources should be put in place to allow it to operate 24 hours a day.
Mr Ramsey was speaking ahead of the Health and Social Care Board revealing the “appropriate next steps” to the delivery of addiction services across the North.
Calls for such a facility in the city have intensified in recent months after it emerged a number of people had taken their own lives after failing to obtain treatment for drug and alcohol addictions.
Mr Ramsey said options which would see people from Derry in need of specialist services have to travel almost 55 miles for assistance were “not an option.”
Mr Ramsey added: “Given recent tragedies in the city, people want a connected, fully resourced and local service. It is important that we do all we can to provide that.
He concluded: “In light of this, I hope to meet with the Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Board to outline the need for Derry to have a site that caters for the North-West, and that the need in this city demands attention. ”
Tags: