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, would 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 record some details about the intervention on their IT system. No personal details from this record will be shared without your permission except under exceptional circumstances.
- The Practitioner will either print or email a letter of attendance for you, which you can then bring to An Garda Síochána as evidence that you attended the HSE for the intervention.
How do I book an appointment with a SAOR Practitioner in my area?
The contact details for the SAOR Practitioner in your area can be found below. Please contact the SAOR Practitioner directly, either by phone or email, to make an appointment.
SAOR Practitioners per county
County | SAOR Practitioner | Phone | |
Carlow | Liam Spencer | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 0399470 |
Cavan | Damien Daly Brendan Brennan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Clare | TBC (RK) |
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Cork | Declan O'Riordan | declan.oriordan@coolminetc.ie | 086 108 1530 |
Donegal | Damien Daly Brendan Brennan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Dublin | See separate list | ||
Galway | Jimmy Greene | jimmy.greene1@hse.ie | 087 6854079 |
Kerry | Declan O'Riordan | declan.oriordan@coolminetc.ie | 086 108 1530 |
Kildare | TBC (JF) |
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Kilkenny | Liam Spencer | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 00399470 |
Laois | TBC (FB) |
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Leitrim | Damien Daly Brendan Brennan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Limerick | TBC (RK) |
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Longford | TBC (FB) |
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Louth | TBC (FB) |
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Mayo | Jimmy Greene | jimmy.greene1@hse.ie | 087 6854079 |
Meath | TBC (FB) |
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Monaghan | Damien Daly Brendan Brennan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
Offaly | TBC (FB) |
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Roscommon | Jimmy Greene | jimmy.greene1@hse.ie | 087 6854079 |
Sligo | Damien Daly Brendan Brennan | damiendaly@nwdrugtaskforce.ie brendanbrennan@nwdrugtaskforce.ie | 086 8162132 086 8162127 |
North Tipperary | TBC (RK) |
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South Tipperary | Liam Spencer | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 00399470 |
Waterford | Liam Spencer | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 00399470 |
Westmeath | TBC (FB) |
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Wexford | Liam Spencer | William.spencer@hse.ie | 086 00399470 |
Wicklow | TBC (JF) |
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SAOR Practitioners per Dubin area
Area |
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Balbriggan | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Ballymun | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Blakestown | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Blanchardstown | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Cabra | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Clontarf | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Coastal | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Coolock | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Finglas | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Killbarrack | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
North Inner City | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Swords | Karen Reid | karen.reid@hse.ie | 087 771 3598 |
Newcastle, Citywest & Saggart | TBC (JF) |
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South Dublin Inner City | TBC (JF) |
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East Kildare & Blessington | TBC (JF) |
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Rathmines, Terenure & Templeogue | TBC (JF) |
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West & Central Kildare | TBC (JF) |
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Northeast Kildare | TBC (JF) |
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Lucan | TBC (JF) |
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Ballyfermot & Palmerstown | TBC (JF) |
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Clondalkin | TBC (JF) |
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Tallaght & Firhouse | TBC (JF) |
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Northwest Kildare | TBC (JF) |
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Rathfarnham, Knocklyon & Ballyboden | TBC (JF) |
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Drimnagh, Crumlin & Harolds Cross | TBC (JF) |
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South Kildare & West Wicklow | TBC (JF) |
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Northeast Wicklow | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Southeast Wicklow | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey & Loughlinstown | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Donnybrook, Ranelagh & Ringsend | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Stillorgan, Booterstown & Monkstown | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Milltown, Churchtown & Dundrum | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Ballinteer, Stepaside & Kiltiernan | Tony Shortt | Tony@coolminetc.ie | 087 9823215 |
Foxrock, Carrickmines & Shankill | Tony Shortt | 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/