Call for increased funding for Derry addiction services

There has been a renewed call for further support for the Northlands Centre in Derry.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the centre provides invaluable support to people, families and communities in the North West.

Mr Eastwood secured an additional £1m for the service in 2022.

Mr Eastwood said that the importance of regional addiction services to support people and families whose lives have been devastated cannot be overstated.

He also raised concern about a Assembly motion tabled by Sinn Féin this week which calls for a new residential rehabilitation unit in Belfast. 

The Foyle MP said: “There is barely a family anywhere in the North that hasn’t felt the impact of addiction. People are doing their best in all of our communities to support their loved ones but the truth is that they need more help. Specialist addiction services make an enormous difference to people trying to turn their lives around, families that have been devastated and entire communities that have felt the pain of losing friends.

“That is why I worked hard during the NDNA negotiations to secure additional support to fund regional addiction services in Derry with an extra £1m to help those providing services at Northlands and across our communities to reach as many families as possible. The work they do is incredible, it deserves recognition but more importantly it needs resourced. That should be an immediate priority for every elected representative.

“I am glad that the Assembly is debating the issue this week - it is an important opportunity to make this a political priority. I have to say I was disappointed however that the motion sponsored by Sinn Féin calls for a new residential rehabilitation unit in Belfast with no mention of additional support in Derry. We shouldn’t be pitting services or cities against one another, this is an urgent priority and the goal has to be providing the resource needed so that everyone can access this life saving and life changing service.”