Blanchardstown Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force: YEAR 7 Drug & Alcohol Use in Dublin 15

The Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Taskforce (LDATF) have launched the 7th Annual Drug and Alcohol Trends Monitoring System (DATMS).

The DATMS provides an evidence base for drug use in Dublin 15 and the LDATF use this data to inform service provision and to monitor and respond to the changing needs of the local community. The DATMS is completed annually.

2021 key findings include:

HIDDEN HARM WITHIN THE FAMILY: 385 (41%) of people attending treatment and family support services have children aged under 18. Mapping data identifies that these children were from every community in Dublin 15 from the affluent to the socio-economically deprived, which identifies that hidden harm is a community wide issue. Data reports that the extent of hidden harm in Dublin 15 is underrepresented.

INCREASE IN DRUG & ALCOHOL USE: treated and untreated drug users reported an increase in drug and alcohol use. This increase was associated with an increase in the number of people in treatment and involved in drug-related crime.

NORMALISATION OF DRUG & ALCOHOL USE HAMPERS HELP SEEKING: the common perception is that drug and alcohol use is risk free and socially acceptable. Alcohol is the most normalised drug, followed by cannabis herb, cocaine powder and benzodiazepines. These are the most common drugs used by untreated and treated drug users. The impact of this normalisation is reported, whereby it is perceived to be a factor that hinders help seeking and contributes to young people using drugs at an earlier age. Indeed, Year 7 reported a reduction in the number of young people seeking support from local services.

EVIDENCE-BASED SERVICE PROVISION: the value and importance of evidence-based programmes in treatment and family support services was reported. Service users reported how engagement with these programmes empowered them to improve their coping strategies, increase their resilience and prioritise their wellbeing.

Download the full report here

Download supporting map here

Posted by drugs.ie on 02/02 at 12:28 PM in (0) Comments