The National Drug Advisory and Treatment Service, now known asThe Drug Treatment Centre Board (DTCB), was established in 1969 and is the longest established treatment service in the country. It was originally located at the ‘Charitable Infirmary’, Jervis Street Hospital, Dublin 1, which was established in 1718, the first voluntary hospital in Ireland.

The current Chairman of The Drug Treatment Centre Board, Mr Denis McCarthy, is from a long line of family members who, since 1909, have been involved with the Charitable Infirmary (now known as the Charitable Infirmary Charitable Trust). At the end of 1987, Jervis Street Hospital closed. The Drug Treatment Centre Board was set up by statutory instrument in 1988 and moved to new premises at McCarthy Centre, 30-31 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Previously funded by the Department of Health and the Eastern Health Board, it now receives its funds through the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA).

It provides effective, high quality and client focused treatment for the population it serves. This is provided in a caring, professional manner in an atmosphere cognisant of the varied individual needs of the client population. It offers guidance and training to other professionals working in the area of substance misuse and contributes to policy development in drug and addiction management. The DTCB is represented on the National Drugs Strategy Committee and the National Advisory Committee on Drugs.

The DTCB-in partnership with other statutory and voluntary agencies- provides prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare programmes for out-patients and in-patients in order to minimise the harmful effects of drug addiction and prevent the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases. All out- patient treatment facilities are provided on site. The in-patient detoxification facilities are located at St. Michael’s Ward, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin (10 bed unit) and Cuan Dara, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin (17 bed unit). Other components of the organisation include a National Drug Analysis Laboratory, as well as research and training.