Northwest Regional
Drugs Task Force
Supply Reduction Prevention Treatment & Research
Drug Education Workers Forum (DEWF) TRAINING - 27 JUNE 2011
As part of the ongoing implementation of the National Drug Strategy, a Quality Standards in Substance Use Education manual was produced by the Drug Education Workers Forum (DEWF). Funding was approved to facilitate its publication and its implementation through training for practitioners in order to ensure dissemination of the key elements right across the the spectrum of community, voluntary and statutory service providers. It will greatly benefit NWRDTF projects in conjunction with mainstream services from the clear guidelines set out to enhance good practice and quality in this prevention/education pillar of the NDS. It is the the first DEWF Training to be rolled out in the North West and due to over subscription, a second tranche of training is being planned for the new year by the NWRDTF Development Workers.
Launch of Drug and Alcohol Services Helpline (DASH) June 2011
PRESS RELEASE
JUNE 2011 Making a DASH to help
People struggling with drug and alcohol problems now have a new place to go for help and advice since the launch of the Drug & Alcohol Services Helpline (DASH). The helpline offers a first port of call for people whose use of drugs and alcohol may be getting out of hand, or for friends and family who are concerned about a loved one.
The new service was the brainchild of Jessica Mannion, an Assertive Outreach Worker for the Cranmore and Northside communities of Sligo town, who has been working for the past two years with people who have addictions or are at risk of developing addictions to drugs and alcohol. Although Sligo already has some very valuable services that support people with such addictions, the idea of the new helpline was to offer an easy and accessible way to take that first step.
With funding from the Northwest Regional Drugs Task Force, and support from the Cranmore Co-op and Northside Community Development Partnership, the helpline has already helped a number of people since it's official launch in March. When people call the helpline the DASH team will talk them through the support services available and help them find a route they are most comfortable with. Most of the people who have called the helpline are currently seeing one of the DASH counsellors, while others have been helped in finding other appropriate supports including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics (NA) meetings. DASH also helps family members or friends who are struggling to support their loved ones.
“People struggling with drugs and alcohol, and their families, often suffer in silence. They all know there is a problem but are often too embarrassed to seek help or don't know where to turn. The helpline offers them an anonymous way to take that first step. We don't ask for personal details, we just lend an ear. It really is about helping them take that first step and letting them know the help is there. Our role at DASH is to help and guide people in the right direction, we see ourselves as offering an alternative early intervention that compliments the existing drug and alcohol services already available in Sligo,” explains Jessica Mannion.
The helpline currently runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 5pm: 071 91 47653
For further information on all of the above please call Jessica Mannion on 0851 324187/www.sligooutreachservice.net
Click here for more information legal/illegal highs
OVERVIEW ON NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND THE OUTLETS SUPPLYING THEM
PRESS RELEASE
JUNE 2011
issued by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs
Renewed efforts needed to tackle sale of illegal ‘headshop drugs’ online
Renewed efforts are needed to tackle the sale of illegal ‘headshop drugs’ on the internet, according to new research from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD).
The NACD study New Psychoactive Substances and the Outlets Supplying Them, released today to coincide with the UN International Day against Drug Abuse, reveals what is contained in various psychoactive products and how they are being supplied. It also makes a series of recommendations to Government. (Full report at www.nacd.ie.)
A research team from Dublin Institute of Technology undertook the study. Since the study began in early 2010 most of the substances which were openly sold in headshops have been made illegal (since May 2010) and many headshops have closed.
However, the research found that illegal ‘headshop style’ products (new psychoactive substances) remain available online and some are being sold as food products.
Róisín Shortall Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Primary Care stated that “Since the NACD work in this area began, approximately 200 substances have been banned under the Misuse of Drugs regulations. Also legislation was introduced that made it a criminal offence to sell or supply substances not prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but that have psychoactive effects on humans. The number of headshops dropped from 102 early in 2010 to 11. While this respresents huge progress in respect of availability and consumption of new psychoactive substances inIreland, such substances continue to pose dangers, particularly to young people, through internet sales.
Informed by this research, I intend to take all necessary steps to minimise those risks, utilising interagency co-operation to tackle the issues involved.”
NACD Chairperson Dr. Des Corrigan highlighted how illegal headshop products continue to be sold online: “While the number of headshops decreased significantly as a result of Government action, a challenge still exists in terms of the monitoring of online outlets for the sale and supply of new psychoactive substances. There are a vast number of online retailers, many of which deliver to Ireland. The report found that while these online products may claim to be ‘legal’, the products which were analysed all contained illegal substances.
“In order to address this issue efforts could be made to examine existing models to curtail such trading, for example, through the co-operation between the Irish Medicines Board and the Customs authorities to monitor the sale of counterfeit medicines.
“The NACD also recommends that the Department of Health monitor the emergence of new headshop products and move speedily to ban them.
The HSE National Drugs Awareness Campaign take account of user experiences of new psychoactive drugs. Also online campaigns such as, drugs.ie, should highlight the dangers of new psychoactive drugs as identified in the research report.
Ireland should review the proposals for legislation in the UK under which it is proposed to allow for the temporary banning of psychoactive substances while they are being fully assessed for their harmful effects.
Further Information
Ronan Cavanagh, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (086) 317 9731.
Jemma Hogan, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (085) 722 9024
The NACD
The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) was established in response to the drug problem to assist in our continued need to improve our knowledge and understanding of problem drug use. The goal of the NACD is to advise the Government on problem drug use in Ireland in relation to prevalence, prevention consequences and treatment based on analysis and interpretation of research findings.
Research Team
A research team from the Centre for Social and Educational Research, Dublin Institute of Technology undertook the study commissioned by the NACD. The research team are Cathy Kelleher, Rachel Christie, Kevin Lalor, John Fox, Matt Bowden and Cora O’Donnell. Please see a copy of this report on our Downloads section on this website.
OPEN MIC NIGHT IN LETTERKENNY
Letterkenny's intercultural Open Mic night. Welcoming letterkenny to show case all the top talent that's out there. Contact 0867752142 for further info and to book a spot or just turn up on the night. No matter what your talent is singing, spoken word, dance,mime, visuals, dj ing we'd like to hear from you and we'll do our best to accommodate all acts. Audience essential for fine night of entertainment. All welcome. Mocktail reception. Great Virgin Cocktails available, free of charge !!! And will do our best to throw in a few snacks. Port na Failte Centre ( port road opposite Tescos). Every last Thursday of the month, any change will be given well in advance keep an eye out here or look out for the poster around the town. Come Strut your stuff and let us enjoy all the talent that's out there in letterkenny.
A little bit about NWRDTF FUNDED PROJECTS.........
SUPPORT WORKER - WHITE OAKS REHABILITATION CENTRE - DONEGAL
Dermot Mc Donough is the Support Worker funded by the NWRDTF in White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre who manages and implements programmes for residential aftercare, day aftercare and drugs awareness for young people. Whiteoaks provides a 37 day residential treatment programme based on the Minnesota Model for people addicted to drugs and alcohol. Through one to one counselling, group therapy, lectures and spiritual practices, individuals are encouraged to live creative, productive happy lives. Individuals commit to a weekly aftercare programme when they leave treatment. The centre also provides family therapy while the client is in treatment.
Dermot can be contacted on: 086 2537993/derms69@gmail.com/whiteoaksrehabcentre@hotmail.com
YOUTH DRUG AND ALCOHOL WORKERS - LEITRIM, SLIGO AND DONEGAL
Foroige were awarded with the tenders to provide youth drug and alcohol workers for Counties Sligo and Leitrim and Donegal (funded by the NWRDTF). Grainne Wynne (Leitrim) and Collette Gallagher (Sligo) and Vanessa Collins (Donegal)are responsible for developing and supporting a community wide approach to drugs education ensuring the involvement of young people and their parents in the design and delivery of drug education progammes.
Grainne can be contacted on 071 9620555/ grainne.wynne@foroige.ie
Collette can be contacted on: 086 2316303/collette.gallagher@foroige.ie
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Vanessa can be contacted on 086 0481977/vanessa.schaill@foroige.ie
ASSERTIVE OUTREACH WORKER - DONEGAL
Mary Healy is the Outreach Worker based in Letterkenny CDP who engages with drug/alcohol mis-users between 18 and 30 to help them access treatment through existing services and initiate community based programmes of care to reduce the harm caused by drug/alcohol misuse. The overall aim is to address a common trend in recent years of the number of young adults who have become poly drugs users in letterkenny and surrounding areas, using a more flexible community based holistic approach.
Letterkenny CDP has also been funded to make provision for an holistic therapy service programme in conjunction with existing services and organisations, initiating new avenues to treatment and rehabilitation. Referrals are accepted from GP's, addiction services, community and voluntary groups.
Mary can be contacted on 087 7752142
ASSERTIVE OUTREACH WORKER - SLIGO
Jessica Mannion is the Outreach Worker for Sligo who engages with individuals with substance misuse in Cranmore and North Ward with a view to reducing the harms caused by substance misuse by increasing access to drug and alcohol supports and services. She is currently developing the addiction support helpline DASH, linking in with other services and developing group supports, (launch photos above).
Jessica can be contacted on: 085 1324187/assertiveoutreach@gmail.com
Substance Misuse Worker
Leonard Taylor has been appointed as the Substance Misuse Worker for the homeless in Sligo based in Sligo Social Services. Leonard works with homeless drug and alcohol users and links them with mainstream and specialist services in order to sustain them in accommodation. Part of his role involves increasing the knowledge and understanding of the service among relevant agencies in Sligo and promotes referrals and service integration. Ceramic classes and organic gardening have been successfully undertaken by a number of clients to date which is proving to be extremely popular and beneficial to all those involved.
For more information on this service, please contact Sligo Social Services on: 071 9145682
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAMME
: 
SFP programme and facilitators who have been trained by the course developers (Dr K Kumpfer, Dr H Whiteside)
The Strengthening Families Programme is an evidence based life skills training programme. It emphasises the critical role of families in prevention and reducing risk. It is designed to build on protective factors by improving family relationships, parenting skills and improving young people's social and life skills. It also reduces the risk factors for behavioural, emotional, academic and social problems. The programme is available to families experiencing difficulties who would like family life to be less stressful and more rewarding and who are also open to trying new skills to tackle old issues and problems. The NWAF Ltd is the lead organisation in bringing this programme to the north west.
The Coordinator of the programme is Donna Butler and she can be contacted on: 074 9125596/sfp@nwaf.ie
The Bill W Club
The Bill W Club was set up in John Street, Sligo to provide an open door, drop in service for those seeking help from alcohol and drug addiction issues and to help minimise the threat of relapse. It is striving to provide an holistic mindfulness programme in response to a range of addiction issues in addition to providing a safe environment and operation of recovery and rehabilitation groups such as AA, NA, GA and Al Anon.
The Coordinator of the programme is Aubrey Melville and he can be contacted on: 086 8092015/billwclub@yahoo.ie
Education Courses funded by the NWRDTF:
The Diploma in Drug & Alcdohol Studies - 2011 - 2012 -seappcation form on the downloads section of this website
Christina McEleney - Diploma Coordinator
The Diploma is accredited by the University of Limerick which aims to develop personal and professional growth of individuals working in statutory, non statutory, community and voluntary organisations who are actively engaged in responding to drug and alcohol issues across the spectrum from prevention and education to treatment and rehabilitation.
Christina can be contacted on: 087 9369312/christinamceleney@donegalvec.ie
The Certificate in Addiction Studies - 2011- 2012.
The project is based the theme of 'prevention through education' with the aim of modifying interventions in drug and alcohol related issues. It is a fully accredited level 7 Certificate from NUI Maynooth which will assist and inform service providers and community activists in addressing addiciton related issues in their own communities and workplaces.
The Coordinator, Jim Penders can be contacted on: 086 1943546/jimpenders@eircom.net
Holistic Therapy Programmes provided in Sligo and Leitrim Family Resource Centres
The aim of the holistic therapy programme is to giving recovering addicts an alternative and complimentary ways of dealing and coping with their addiction.
The programmes are being coordinated in Co Sligo by Claire Dineen in the Ballymote Family Resource Centre, and in Leitrim by Helena Golden in the Breffni Resource Centre in Carrick on shannon.
Claire can be contacted on: 071 9197818/ballymotefrc@gmail.com
Helena can be contacted on: 071 9622566/brefcom@eircom.net
The Young Men's Programme
The aim of this project to reduce the risk for young Traveller men coming into contact with the criminal justice system as a result of drug and alcohol issues and to support the rehabilitation of Traveller men on release from prison to lessen their risk of re-abusing drugs and alcohol.
The Homework Club
The aim of the programme is to promote the value of education among the Traveller Community of Ballyfree to support young people to reach their full potential by modifying drug and alcohol misuse by providing a safe, consistent environment where young people and their families can learn to deal with these issues on an ongoing basis.
The Project Coordinator for the programmes above, Bernadette Maughan of Sligo Travellers Support Group can be contacted on 071 9145780
North West Regional Drugs Task Force
Dial to Stop Drug Dealing
1800 220 220
www.dialtostop.ie
For release: Monday, 22 November 2010
Drugs Hotline Campaign Rolls Out Across the Northwest
DIAL TO STOP Drug Dealing, the safe hotline for people who have information or know of drug dealing, can lead to significant seizures and arrests and can help to stop open drug dealing across the northwest counties of Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and West Cavan (Blacklion).
Pat Carey T.D., Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, who launched the publicity drive for the hotline, said that Dial to Stop provided a safe way for people to take a stand against drugs in their communities.
Loman Conway, Chair of the North West Regional Drugs Task Force (NWRDTF), said that the supply of drugs was something that everybody should be aware of. The days when drug supply was a city phenomenon were long gone, he said.
“I believe very strongly in the notion that communities everywhere – big and small - should be empowered and should feel enabled to make a stand against drugs in a way that they feel is safe. Dial to Stop makes this possible,” Conway said.
“People often ask me what they can do when they feel helpless because of drug activity they see or know about,” he continued. “Now they can Dial to Stop. Put the number in a safe place. If you see or know something, just make that call, pass on the information and then forget about it.”
Since it went live two years ago, the confidential hotline has received over 7,000 calls nationally, resulting in over 2,000 reports to the Gardaí. Publicity around the hotline has also been shown to suppress overt drug dealing in campaign communities.
Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is a free, safe, confidential and completely anonymous hotline. Callers are never asked for their name, address or any other information that might identify them. The person answering their call will not know them and will not recognize their voice. The phone number is not operated by An Garda Síochána. However, information gathered is passed on directly to the Gardaí to feed into ongoing inquiries.
The 2010 DIAL TO STOP campaign across the Northwest will include a door to door leaflet drop as well as radio ads across the region.
NWRDTF DEVELOPMENT WORKER - DONEGAL
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NWRDTF DEVELOPMENT WORKER - SLIGO, LEITRIM, WEST CAVAN
Lorna Curry, North West Regional Drug Task Force Development Worker, covering Sligo, Leitrim & West Cavan.. she provides support and guideance for all Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan based projects.
Lorna can be contacted on: 087 6983653/lcurry@nwddrugtaskforce.ie
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"...to significantly reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research"
