Current Work in Progress

The Eblana Drop-In

The Dun Laoghaire Drop-In is a collaborative programme involving a number of key Drug and Homeless services including the HSE, The Community Addiction Team, DROP, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Co. Housing Service and Dublin Simon Emergency service in Eblana. The programme was initiated and is coordinated through the DLR Local Drugs Task Force.

The aim of the Drop-In is to create an informal environment where the target group can access shelter, support workers, information and links to drug and other relevant services. The service is aimed at drug users who may not have formal links with other services. The Drop-In Was initially piloted over a 6 week period including a 3 week review and 6 week review. Following the 6 week review all relevant stakeholders agreed to extend the drop-in for a 12 month period.

The Strengthening Families Programme

The Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Local Drugs Task Force are currently working in collaboration with the Le Cheile Probation Mentoring Programme to examine the possibility of running the strengthening families programme in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area. The Strengthening Families Programme is a 14 weeks skills based prevention programme that has a strong evidence base to support it. The DLR LDTF and Le Cheile are currently planning information sessions due to take place soon.

Working Group on Traveller Addiction Support

The working group comprises of key traveller and addiction services stakeholders including Southside Travellers Action Group, the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Local Drugs Task Force, the HSE Education Officer and HSE Addiction Outreach Worker. The group meets on a monthly basis and aims of the group include:

  • To raise an awareness of the issue of problematic drug and alcohol use in the Travelling Community.
  • Work in conjunction with addiction support partners to ensure Addiction Support Services are accessible to persons from the Travelling Community.
  • Work in collaboration with key partners to develop supports for families affected by substance misuse

Working Group on Young People and Alcohol

The Working Group on Young People and Alcohol developed in response to the high profiled issue of alcohol and young people, it is informed by a number of preventative Actions outlined in NDS 2001-2009 as well as the recommendations from the Southside Partnership Youth at Risk Report (Southside Partnership 2008). The function of the group is to develop multi faceted approaches responding to the complex issue of young people in relation to alcohol. A primary piece of the work plan incorporates an examination of existing service provision with reference young people and alcohol. A further key component of the work plan involves examining the level of service provision in the area that involves consultation with services in order to place them in a tiered or graduated approach as outlined in Action 19 of the National Drugs Strategy. Adopting a tiered or graduated approach will provide us with an overview of current gaps in service provision and potential for further development. While young people are central to the core purpose of the working group, young people are considered in the context of the family, community as well as surrounding environment and policy framework.

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