Health Diversion
What is the Health Diversion Scheme?
Under the health diversion scheme, people (aged 18 and over) found in possession of drugs for personal use, by An Garda Síochána, may be diverted to the HSE in the first instance for a health intervention (SAOR) with a health professional.
What is SAOR intervention?
SAOR is a screening and brief intervention for substance use. SAOR uses a person-centred approach to have a conversation with a person about their substance use.
What happens during a SAOR intervention?
SAOR is delivered by SAOR Practitioners, either online or in person, and takes less than one hour.
- You attend for your appointment at the location given to you by the HSE, or online.
- The Practitioner will explain and agree consent with you to talk about substance use.
- You and the Practitioner will have a non-judgemental conversation about your drug use. You may be asked to fill in a questionnaire, or screening tool, with the Practitioner, in order to understand the way in which you use drugs.
- The Practitioner can give you information about drugs, drug use, wellbeing and support services.
- If you would like further support or specialist services, the Practitioner will talk to you about a suitable referral, and with your permission, make that referral.
- The Practitioner will either print or email a letter of attendance for you, to confirm that you attended your appointment.
How do I book an appointment with a SAOR Practitioner in my area?
The contact details to book an appointment (either by phone, text or email) with a SAOR Practitioner are listed below.
SAOR Practitioners per county
County | Phone | |
Carlow | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 0399470 |
Cavan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Clare | zt.saoirse@gmail.com | 085 2082744 |
Cork | declan.oriordan@coolminetc.ie | 086 108 1530 |
Donegal | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Dublin |
| |
Galway | jimmy.greene1@hse.ie | 087 6854079 |
Kerry | declan.oriordan@coolminetc.ie | 086 108 1530 |
Kildare | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Kilkenny | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 0399470 |
Laois | stephen.snow@hse.ie | 086 1660977 |
Leitrim | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Limerick | zt.saoirse@gmail.com | 085 2082744 |
Longford | stephen.snow@hse.ie | 086 1660977 |
Louth | stephen.snow@hse.ie | 086 1660977 |
Mayo | jimmy.greene1@hse.ie | 087 6854079 |
Meath | stephen.snow@hse.ie | 086 1660977 |
Monaghan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Offaly | stephen.snow@hse.ie | 086 1660977 |
Roscommon | jimmy.greene1@hse.ie | 087 6854079 |
Sligo | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
North Tipperary | zt.saoirse@gmail.com | 085 2082744 |
South Tipperary | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 0399470 |
Waterford | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 0399470 |
Westmeath | stephen.snow@hse.ie | 086 1660977 |
Wexford | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 0399470 |
Wicklow | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
SAOR Practitioners per Dublin area
Area |
|
|
Balbriggan | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Ballymun | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Blakestown | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Blanchardstown | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Cabra | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Clontarf | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Coastal | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Coolock | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Finglas | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Killbarrack | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
North Inner City | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Swords | ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie | 086 8258161 |
Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
South Dublin Inner City | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Blessington | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Rathmines, Terenure & Templeogue | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Lucan | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Ballyfermot & Palmerstown | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Clondalkin | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Tallaght & Firhouse | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Rathfarnham, Knocklyon & Ballyboden | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Drimnagh, Crumlin & Harolds Cross | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
West Wicklow | Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie | 086 102 1109 |
Northeast Wicklow | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Southeast Wicklow | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey & Loughlinstown | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Donnybrook, Ranelagh & Ringsend | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Stillorgan, Booterstown & Monkstown | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Milltown, Churchtown & Dundrum | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Ballinteer, Stepaside & Kiltiernan | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Foxrock, Carrickmines & Shankill | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Further resources:
For more information on drugs and drug use, please visit https://drugs.ie/
For more information on the HSE Drug and Alcohol helpline please visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/