Coolmine Therapeutic Community launched their stratiegic plan 2012-2015 in the Mansion House, Dublin, yesterday morning.
The strategy, launched by Ms Roisin Shortall TD, Minister for Primary Care today, includes the refining of its residential programmes and expansion of its detoxification capacity to facilitate an improved therapy process for over 1,000 clients with drug or alcohol addictions who avail of its services every year.
Chief Executive, Mr Paul Conlon, asked the Minister to get the Government to find €100,000 from the Exchequer to allow Coolmine TC to take in 15 women with babies who are struggling to overcome their addiction. This money will fund the childcare staff required to look after the children at Coolmine while the women participate in the residential therapy. Coolmine TC provides the only mother and child residential treatment facility in Ireland.
“Last year we doubled the number of mother admissions to Ashleigh House and trebled the number of children staying with us, however we do not have the resources to keep up with this demand.”
By allocating €100,000 to treatment, the government could potentially be saving over €200,000 that may otherwise have been spent on prison, social services and state care services for children.
He said that the new 2012 to 2015 strategic plan will see Coolmine build further on its achievements whilst adjusting to the new policy and down turn in economic circumstances.
“This strategic plan is based on extensive internal and external consultations with clients, staff, and management at Coolmine as well as our external stakeholders and funders. In order to be effective and relevant we must refine and develop all our therapies and programmes in the interest of our clients. This can be achieved through the dedication of the volunteers and staff, Government funding and private donations”.
Mr Brian Ward, Chairman, said that against the current economic backdrop the Board and Management of Coolmine Therapeutic Community have worked hard to ensure that its frontline services have been maintained. “Given the reduction in our funding in the last few years our managers and staff have been very creative in finding novel solutions to the challenges involved.”
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