The following are courses available locally on topics relating to drug misuse and prevention:

From time-to-time, Southside Community Training Network also offers short courses on topics relating to drugs. Visit their website to see what’s coming up.

Six-week Community Drug Awareness

The course aims to raise awareness within local communities about various aspects of substance
misuse. This course is offered free of charge to interested communities and local groups/agencies. A minimum of 12 people are required for the course to start. Local venues can be used and the time and day that the course runs can be negotiated with the facilitators.

This 6 session course is an introduction to the drugs issue at community level. The course will cover; exploring attitudes to drugs, recognising signs & symptoms of drug use, overview of drugs, mapping local services, drugs in the home, what parents can do to influence drug prevention, and other

topics.

This course is facilitated by professionals working within the area of drug prevention and is offered FREE to interested individuals/groups/agencies.

For more information on this course, contact Eamonn Gillen by email or on 2803187.

FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Addiction Studies (Urrus)

This course is intended for community members who feel they would like to be more effective when it comes to drug/alcohol issues. There are no education requirements to be part of this course, only a willingness to learn.

The purpose of the Community Addiction Studies Course is to enable people to:

  • Learn about drugs and their effects
  • Develop an understanding of addiction
  • Examine your attitudes
  • Become more effective in personal responses
  • Develop the skills and knowledge to become more effective in responding to drug misuse in communities

For any questions on this course, contact Eamonn Gillen by email or on 2803187.

HETAC Level 7 Certificate in Addiction Studies (NUI)

The course focuses on introducing participants to current debates on addiction. On completion, participants will have become familiar with contemporary addiction theory
as well as prevention and treatment strategies. They will have explored associated issues
such as public policy, factual information on substance misuse, gender issues and viral illness to name but a few. The teaching methods utilise adult education techniques, which involve active participation, critical debate and a focus on social action. These methodologies are frequently challenging, committing participants to explore their own attitudes, beliefs and current practices.

The Addiction Education Service of the Health Service Executive in association with the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Drugs Task Force is providing the course. The course tutor approved by NUI Maynooth is Ms. Maeve Shanley, HSE Education Officer and there will also be a number of specialist guest speakers and tutors. The course costs are heavily subsidised by the Health Service Executive and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Drugs Task Force.

The course is delivered at a HETAC level 7 standard on the National Framework of Qualifications. On completion of the course and submission of prescribed assignments, successful participants will be awarded an N.U.I. Certificate in Addiction Studies from Maynooth University.

Informal enquiries relating to the course or its contents should be directed to Maeve Shanley by email or on (01) 280 3335.