Addiction service welcomes new plan

A COMMUNITY based addiction service based in Cabra/Finglas has welcomed the launch of the new National Drugs Strategy 2017-2020 plan.

Sankalpa say it will help them strengthen and expand its local addiction services over the next four years.

Sankalpa chairperson, Jennifer Clancy, says the plan will create a roadmap for the next four years.

“In 2016 Sankalpa worked with 181 clients through our services, supporting them at all stages of their recovery process,” she said.

“Unfortunately, services like ours are needed now more than ever with the increasing complexity of needs and the intersecting nature of drug use, homelessness and mental health issues.”

Key areas of growth outlined under the new strategy include exploring and developing pathways for clients who are experiencing mental health difficulties to have faster access to assessment, interventions and counselling provisions by trained counsellors.

Also included is the promotion of health and wellbeing programmes and tackling the issue of isolation as well as enhancing the delivery of core programmes and expanding partnerships with employers in the community.

“Sankalpa has a strong working relationship with other local statutory and non-statutory services,” Clancy continued. “However, resources remain limited and there is a strain on services to deal with the multitude of presenting issues.

“It is pivotal that services continue to work in close partnership to secure a better quality of life for individuals regardless of their substance misuse.” 

Clancy particularly welcomed Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne’s commitment in prioritising the housing needs of those in addiction and the introduction of measures such as supervised injecting rooms that “will support those in addiction rather than further marginalising them”.