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.

SAOR stands for

• Support - supporting you to discuss your drug use
• Ask and Assess - discussing the nature and extent of your drug use, and what you would like to do
• Offer Assistance - discussing options with you
• Refer - discussing support services available to you if you need them and making a referral to services for you if it’s something you want and if it’s appropriate for you.

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.

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.

HSE Dublin and North East:

HSE Cavan Monaghan

• Email: damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie Phone: 086 816 2132
• Email: brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie Phone: 086 816 2127

HSE Louth Meath

• Email: stephen.snow@hse.ie Phone: 086 166 0977

HSE Dublin North and West

• Email: ilmena.grubkaityte@aldp.ie Phone: 086 825 8161

HSE Dublin and Midlands:

HSE Dublin South and West

• Email: Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie Phone: 086 102 1109

HSE Kildare West Wicklow

• Email: Brian.Martin@coolminetc.ie Phone: 086 102 1109

HSE Midlands

• Email: stephen.snow@hse.ie Phone: 086 166 0977

HSE Dublin and South East:

HSE Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Tipperary South

• Email: William.spencer@hse.ie Phone: 086 039 9470

HSE Dublin South and Wicklow

• Email: Tony@coolminetc.ie Phone: 087 982 3215

HSE Mid West:

HSE Limerick, Clare and Tipperary North

• Email: claudia@saoirseaddiction.onmicrosoft.com Phone: 087 401 3030

HSE South West:

HSE Cork and HSE Kerry

• Email: declan.oriordan@coolminetc.ie Phone: 086 108 1530

HSE West and North West:

HSE Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim

• Email: damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie Phone: 086 816 2132
• Email: brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie Phone: 086 816 2127

HSE Mayo, Galway and Roscommon

• Email: Jamie.burke@hse.ie Phone: 087 743 6781

Further resources

For more information on drugs and drug use, please visit drugs.ie.

For more information on the HSE Drug and Alcohol helpline please visit HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline.