Investment In Drugs Programmes Should Be Maintained During Downturn

Investment in services to prevent drugs misuse in the community - as well as programmes to assist drug users in their recovery - should not suffer as a consequence of the economic downturn. According to Grace Hill, Acting Co-ordinator of Tallaght Drugs Task Force, “The economic downturn could create the conditions for increased levels of drugs misuse and dependency due to unemployment, financial problems and associated low morale. While it is understandable that the public purse is under pressure, it would be unwise to consider any reduction in spending on drug prevention and treatment programmes.  Rather, spending should be sustained to maintain existing interventions. 

“The economic and social cost of drugs misuse is significant, and can take a long time to recover from.  The endemic drugs problems of the 1980s, which decimated communities in Dublin in particular, has taken more than a decade of dedicated hard work and substantial funding to turn around.  It would be critical that this work is not undone because of current financial pressures.”

Ms Hill was speaking at the launch of the Tallaght Drugs Task Force’s Strategic Plan (2008 – 2013).  The main objective of the strategy is to build-on and consolidate the programmes that have operated within the Tallaght community since the Task Force was established ten years ago. The Minister of State with Responsibility for National Drugs Strategy, John Curran TD, officiated at the launch which took place in the Tallaght Rehabilitation Project today (24.11.08).

“The advent of the Drugs Task Force model has resulted in significant investment in drugs programmes.  We are at a stage where programmes for drug prevention and treatment in the community are well established and are trusted by members of the community.  We need to grow and consolidate these programmes now to ensure that the problem of drugs misuse does not spiral out of control during this period of recession,” said Ms Hill.

The Tallaght Drugs Task Force new Strategic Plan examined the nature and extent of the existing drug-related problems in the catchment area.  Among the findings were:

Seventy-two per cent of people presenting for treatment (from 2004 – 2005) came from five communities in the catchment area of the Tallaght Drugs Task Force.  The largest number came from Fettercairn (123), followed by Jobstown (123) and Killinarden (86).  These communities are characterised by high levels of unemployment and other deprivation indicators.

The majority of those presenting for treatment (from 2004 - 2006) were male.

The numbers presenting for treatment (from 2004 – 2006) aged 25 or more increased by over 60 cases.  During the same period the numbers of young people (under 17 years) presenting fell.  This decrease related to new addiction supports for young people in the community.

According to Ms Hill, “In general, our analysis of the profile of drugs misuse in Tallaght highlights that where deprivation levels are high, the likelihood of drug dependency is also higher.  In addition, it showed that where appropriate services are put in place – such as the Youth Drugs and Alcohol Service – the numbers presenting for treatment is reduced.”

Among the new emerging trends identified by the Task Force was an increase in poly-drug behaviour, particularly where it involved stimulants such as cocaine.  Community-based responses, outside of those in place for opiates abuse, have been identified to deal with poly-drug use associated with stimulants.

In addition, the Task Force noted that long-term methadone maintenance needed to be addressed by providing clear progression routes for clients so that they can move through treatment into detoxification, rehabilitation and aftercare in a timely manner.  In 2005, almost 1,000 people presenting for treatment in Tallaght were prescribed methadone; sixty-eight per cent of these had been prescribed methadone during the previous year.

According to Ms Hill, “Since the advent of the Drugs Task Force in Tallaght, there has been increased co-operation across community groups and statutory agencies at a local level in responding to drugs misuse.  Over the next five years, we hope to see even further concerted efforts, such as appointing a designated member of the Gardai to work with the Task Force.

“Education and awareness-raising projects within schools and communities has been a particularly successful outcome of the work of the Drugs Task Force to date.  They have proven effective in raising young people’s awareness of the dangers of drugs misuse.  Our focus for the next five years is to not only maintain this approach, but to start forcing more on growing awareness in the family.  One of the observations of the Task Force has been the emergence of third generations of drug users within particular families.  It is critical that this cycle of misuse is broken and families are given the support they need to ensure that a forth generation of drug dependency is not allowed to develop,” added Grace Hill.