A total of 2,666 people are currently receiving treatment from the Eastern Health Board for heroin abuse, according to the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen.

The problem is mainly confined to the EHB area, and there are no waiting lists for treatment in other health boards, he told Mr Emmet Stagg (Lab, Kildare North). There are currently 273 addicts awaiting treatment in the EHB's addiction centres.