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

Email

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/