A NORTHSIDE charity working with drug users has found that heroin addiction still poses a significant problem in Finglas and Cabra.
According to Sankalpa’s annual report, heroin use accounted for over half of referrals to one of their programs.
Last year Sankalpa had 145 referrals to its three treatment programs, and manager Dr Tom O’Brien says addiction continues to present challenges for the Finglas and Cabra communities.
Apart from the heroin problem, the report also highlights the issue of prescription medication abuse, which accounted for 20 per cent of referrals to Sankalpa’s Turning Point program.
Sankalpa participated in a separate 2013 report into drug use in the Finglas and Cabra area which indicated consumption had become
‘normalized’, with a survey showing 27 per cent of the population using an illegal drug.
Heroin, crack cocaine and crystal meth were all reported to be in use in the Finglas/Cabra area, with cannabis identified as the most commonly used illicit drug. Most users were also identified as consuming more than one illegal substance.
Highlighting some of the difficulties faced by users, Dr O’Brien said:
“drug users have been stigmatized by society, so as to avoid looking at the social causes of drug addiction.
“Addiction takes root in an environment of high unemployment, educational disadvantage and community breakdown.
?
Dr O’Brien added:
“Sankalpa understands we cannot solve the drug problem on our own. It is only by working together can we build sustainable pathways out of addiction and into recovery.
?
One of Sankalpa’s programs is its Connect to the Workplace scheme, which is run for addicts who have become drug-free and are in recovery. The scheme aims to reintegrate users into employment by increasing connections to work and further education. A sample group of 50 service users in 2013 showed that only 17 per cent had completed a Leaving Certificate, highlighting the educational needs of service users.
Some of the employers working with Sankalpa on the Connect to the Workplace program include Musgrave’s, Des Kelly Carpets, Dublin Food Sales, Dogs Trust and St Helena’s Resource Centre, Finglas.
Sankalpa’s Turning Point support scheme aims to assist users in stabilising on prescription medications, with a view to moving them on to the next stage of support, while the Explore program helps users seeking educational opportunities.
The work of Sankalpa continues to play an important role locally, as one user of the Connect to the Workplace reports:
“I value this work placement as it gives me a sense of purpose, gets me involved with people who understand and it gives me structure.
“I’ve been given responsibility so it’s a confidence boost for me as well. This is good for me so that I can talk freely and manage things that I might be struggling with
?.
Sankalpa is contactable at: 01-8302690, email: hello@sankalpa.ie.