The Northlands Addiction Centre in Derry
Funding provisions for an addiction centre in Derry were outlined in the New Decade, New Approach deal.
The deal restored devolved government to the North of Ireland after almost three years of political deadlock.
Tommy Canning, who runs Northlands community-based treatment centre, said the “situation hasn’t improved”.
Mr Canning said there has been an increase in the number of first-time appointments during the pandemic and their facility does not currently have the capacity to deal with the challenge.
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Mr Canning said: “We know this year that the amount of work we have been doing through Covid has increased.
“There is a 25% increase in the uptake of first-time appointments that we are experiencing since the lockdown began in March.
“We are facing a situation where our bed capacity has had to be reduced by 50%.”
Mr Canning said Northlands would usually see about 1,600 people in the clinic during a typical year, but between March and December 2020 that figure was already at 1,700 and is continuing to increase.
Official figures show the number of alcohol-related deaths in Northern Ireland reached a record high in 2019.
The death rate is more than three times higher in the most deprived areas.
Political parties in the North of Ireland agreed to the New Decade, New Approach deal, which included funding being made available for “a range of projects aimed at supporting community and reconciliation initiatives”.
One such provision was for additional funding to support the establishment of a new addiction centre in the city.
“The current facility that we are in, the limited capability has been highlighted by Covid,” Mr Canning said.
“A centre of excellence would increase the capacity we have in terms of residential beds, increasing non-residential work and incorporate long-term aftercare, pre-treatment and family support work.”
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