A Ballinasloe based addiction counsellor, working at Harristown House, has questioned why the centre needed to be closed down for an examination of its services.
It has been 10 years since Judge Jim Sullivan and John Kilcommons of the Probation and Welfare Service set up Harristown House in response to the dire need for an alternative to prison for the many young men addicted to drink, drugs, and gambling who come before the courts. However, despite helping to change many people’s lives for the good it was announced recently that instead of an anniversary celebration the doors of Harristown House will close on November 28.
It was revealed recently that management of the centre located in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, were severely criticised in the Praxis report, an independent review commissioned by the Department of Justice, which found that the centre was “dysfunctional” and “at point of crisis”. The board then unanimously agreed with the report’s recommendation to close it down and take time to develop a new way forward.
Speaking on the effect of the closure, Mr Frank Hunt who has worked at the centre for five years told Galway First that men, referred by the Probation Services and the courts, will now be left with few alternatives.
“Harristown House is the first experience of treatment for most people who come here. We’re all hoping it will re-open. Those working here find it difficult to accept that it couldn’t keep operating,” he said.
Mr Hunt said that there have been hundreds of men, a great number referred from the Probation Services in Galway city, who have benefited from the six week programme offered there. These benefits can be changes in health, improved relationships, and an increase in confidence and self-esteem. He added that the Praxis report itself showed that 65 per cent of men who attended the programme did not re-offend after leaving.
“It isn’t just rehabilitation leading to abstinence, it’s support to make a change in their lives to not re-offend and cause difficulties in their families. It causes a ripple effect in families, the work place, and the community. Intervention is needed for people who suffer from addiction because it is a disease that tells you there is nothing wrong. The likelihood of reaching out and getting help yourself is very low.
“As a counsellor it’s a matter of the greatest regret that this service is being removed. This is certainly the saddest time in my professional life. Those who work will do everything we can to support the re-opening of Harristown House,” said Mr Hunt.
Mr Frank Hunt is an addiction counsellor based in Ballinasloe. For help or advice on addiction issues contact 087-6420870.
