Addicts turning to crystal meth

CRYSTAL meth has emerged as a new drug of choice in
many Northside communities according to Ireland’s longest running community
drugs project.

The finding was revealed in a research report released
to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Ballymun Youth Action Project
(BYAP).

The substance misuse report, which was launched last
week, gave an overview of the issues and trends in relation to drugs that the
project is seeing on a day-to-day basis.

The Ballymun Youth Action Project was founded in 1981
following the drug related deaths of three locals.

Over the last three decades, the project has provided
a community-based response to drug and alcohol misuse.

According to the BYAP’s report, the

“increased profile
of head-shops within communities is a concern for those working to tackle the
drugs problem

?.

Worryingly, it was also noted that crystal meth has
emerged as a new drug in many communities.

“Of particular concern is the fact that this drug can
be made at home from legal ingredients,

? it is stated within the report.

“The point was also made that taking head shop drugs
and crystal meth can have long-term consequences. For example, many
participants noted that users of these drugs may experience hallucinations and
carry out acts they do not remember afterwards. In some instances, this may
lead to arrest.

?

The report went on to call for the development of

“appropriate responses

? to deal with these emerging problems.

Intergenerational drug use was also identified as a
significant problem that BYAP is trying to tackle.

According to the service, workers are seeing
generations, in one case four generations of the one family, presenting to BYAP
for support in relation to substance misuse.

The report noted that the impact parental drug misuse
has on children is quite significant.

“Limiting drug usage within families proves
exceptionally difficult, particularly where support services focus an
individual’s needs and not the entire family’s needs.

?

According to the report, in order to fully break the
cycle of intergenerational drug addiction, the issue of children being in the
care of drug addicts must first be addressed.

“The normalisation of drug use within families has a
significant impact on intergenerational patterns of addiction

?.

The report states that it is

“almost inevitable

? that
children who view drug use as normal will also end up with drug problems.

Tellingly, it was noted that the scourge of drugs is
not just confined to pockets of disadvantage in urban areas as the problem has

“taken root

? in almost every town on the country.