Irish president praises work of addiction centre

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by Change | 14 Dec 2009

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Irish president Mary McAleese has praised the work of a Dublin addiction centre, saying that drug abuse is an "enemy that can be overcome".

An addiction centre in Ireland is helping to overcome the "blight of all blights" of many people's lives.

This is the opinion of Irish president Mary McAleese, who told the Irish Times that drug addiction is an "enemy that can be overcome" thanks to the work undertaken by addiction centres.

She was speaking during the 30th anniversary of the Rutland Centre, an alcohol addiction centre based in Dublin.

"The work is tough, frustrating, sometimes bitterly disappointing and sometimes heartening," she told the newspaper.

Ms McAleese went on to say that individuals who embark on an addiction programme become responsible for their own behaviour, their mental and physical health and their ability to become problem solvers.

The Rutland Centre's director Dr Fiona Weldon explained that nearly one third of her patients were suffering from more than one drug addiction and that Christmas was a particularly hard time of year.

She warned that the recession, responsible for a large number of stress and anxiety problems, can cause people to become more alcohol dependent.

Despite this, the start of a new year is an excellent time to consider a drug abuse programme, allowing for a clean break and a fresh start.

The Rutland Centre was established in 1978 and is now Ireland's biggest alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre.

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