A 27-year-old heroin addict whose attempts to find treatment elicited widespread public sympathy when she appeared before the courts last July has enrolled on a residential treatment course.
However, Lynda Keogh, mother of Rachel, also revealed that her daughter had a lengthy wait before she gained access to a six-week residential treatment place at the Cuan Dara treatment centre at Dublin's Cherry Orchard hospital around three weeks ago.
This was despite the publicity surrounding her case, when pictures of her badly-injured arms were published in the media.
Lynda Keogh also warned that there are many other addicts who are "losing hope" and returning to drugs because of the lack of available treatment places for them.
"We were waiting all that time for a place for her. This is how a lot of them give up hope, if you can imagine what it is like, waiting every day to hear if you can get the treatment you need. There were times when Rachel was really devastated . . . I can understand how others go back on drugs . . . they lose hope."
Rachel Keogh pleaded guilty before Dublin Circuit Court last July to a range of shoplifting charges and a charge of escaping from Garda custody, but was released on bail on condition that she attend ongoing treatment for her problem.
Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday, her mother Lynda, said Rachel had been attending daily treatment at the national drug treatment centre at Trinity Court on Pearse Street since her release. This included the prescription of a heroin substitute and counselling sessions to help stabilise her ahead of her detoxification course.
She obtained a place at Cuan Dara three weeks ago, a few days after her 27th birthday, where she has been drug-free for over a week, Ms Keogh said. The wounds on her daughter's arms had dried up, but she would need extensive reconstructive work done.