Questions raised over Detox location

Group pictured some time ago at the launch of the Derry Detox Documentary, which showcased the need for a facility in Derry and the crisis facing the city, at Brunswick Moviebowl. From left are: Monica McClements, Detox Campaigner, Dee Robson, UNITE Community Membership 'Sports Against Suicide', Gavin Patton, Filmmaker, former Derry-Strabane Councillor Dee Quigley (who has since moved abroad), Patrick Simpson, Brunswick Superbowl and Majella McDaid, Detox Campaigner. DER1615MC0113

Questions were posed over the decision by Independent Derry City & Strabane District Councillor Gary Donnelly following a presentation by senior Trust representatives to the council’s Health and Community Committee on Thursday evening.

Colr. Donnelly said there had been a very significant campaign to try to get a detox facility for the city, prior to the decision being taken.

“There were tens of thousands of signatures calling a detox unit,” he said. “Can you give me some of the reasons why Omagh rather than the town here?”

Teresa Molloy, The Western Trust’s Director of Performance and Service Improvement, responded that this issue had involved a full business case with the Department for Health, but added that she was not familiar with the detail “other than to say the process was extremely robust” and “certainly had a great deal of scrutiny”.

Sinn Fein Councillor Kieran McGuire also raised questions over addiction services for young people.

The Trust’s Transforming Your Care Project Manager Karen Meehan said that it was her personal view that the Detox Unit would be an important component aligned to other services aimed at tackling this.

UUP Councillor Derek Hussey praised the Detox facilities at Omagh.

Colr. Hussey said that this was where the expertise was and this has just been expanded upon.