Derry City Council is today expected to call on the Western Health and Social Care Trust to “urgently compile” a report detailing all current addiction services in the city.
Cllr Brian Tierney.
At their monthly meeting this afternoon, councillors are expected to support a motion from SDLP Cllr Brian Tierney calling for a report in to counselling, detox and rehabilitation services in order to identify gaps in the provision of such services.
Cllr Tierney’s motion follows widespread concerns in the city following the death of Galliagh teenager Andrew Quigley.
The 19-year-old’s body was recovered from the River Foyle last week, just over four weeks after a number of his personal times were found on Foyle Bridge.
It emerged he had sought help for drug and alcohol addictions but was told would not be helped unless he quit the habits.
The revelation prompted other families to speak out publicly about how their loved ones also took their own lives after they too were refused help for their addictions.
Andrew’s disappearance also prompted a campaign to be set up, fronted by the Quigley family, for a detox unit to be established in the city.
Cllr Tierney is also calling on Health Minister Edwin Poots to ensure existing detox facilities are retained within the Western Health and Social Trust.
A consultation by the Health and Social Care Board has proposed that specialist detox and stabilisation services for Derry be moved to Holywell Hospital in Antrim.
Cllr Tierney’s motion reads: “Derry City Council acknowledges the recent public concern regarding the need for improved alcohol and substance detoxification services in the Derry area, and calls on the Western Health and Social Care Trust to urgently compile a report detailing all current addiction services, including counselling, detox and rehabilitation services available within the Derry City Council area, in order to identify gaps in provision and utilise models of best practice across these islands.
“Derry City Council further calls for the inclusion of improved alcohol and substances detox services within the Health and Well Being transformational theme of the One Plan; and calls on the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to ensure that all existing medical detox facilities are retained within the Western Health and Social Care Trust.”
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