<p>
	There are only four dedicated beds in the country to provide residential detox treatment for drug addicts aged 15 to 21.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The in-patient treatment for young people who have become ensnared in drug abuse is provided in the Aislinn Centre, Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny.</p>
<p>
	Communities and National Drugs Strategy Minister Catherine Byrne said she recognised the dearth of detox facilities for the under-18s.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&quot;The difficulties experienced by under-18s in getting access to drug and alcohol treatment and the limited options available for detoxing from drugs were among a number of issues raised with me during the public consultation on the National Drugs Strategy,&quot; she said.</p>
<p>
	&quot;It is my intention to use additional funding to address gaps in service provision for under-18s and to provide more detox places in community and residential settings next year.&quot;</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	She said during the drugs strategy meetings she was struck by the numbers of parents and grandparents who were at a loss over how to deal with a young person in their family involved in drug abuse.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 6th February 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/just-four-detox-beds-for-addicts-aged-15-to-21-35425950.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/just-four-detox-beds-for-addicts-aged-15-to-21-35425950.html</a></p>
