LOCALS with addiction problems in Dublin 15 are to get access to a new local community addiction team operated by Coolmine, the drug and alcohol treatment centre.
Based in Coolmine Industrial estate, Dublin 15 Community Addiction Team – D15 CAT – will enable locals to take part in proven treatment programmes and get expert support.
The team will assist four specific groups in Dublin 15 – young people, new communities, those with alcohol addictions and adults misusing drugs.
The team will also provide advice and assistance to the families of those availing of services.
Welcoming the new service, Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne, said that D15 CAT was a direct and effective response to meeting the needs of target groups identified in the Dublin 15 community.
“D15 CAT provides easy access to tangible advice and services for those who want to overcome addiction in their own community,” she said.
“The experts refer the clients to the appropriate services, offer advice and assistance to their family members, as well as running specific addiction programmes.
“I commend Coolmine for working with the Government and the HSE to establish this team. “The men and women in Coolmine have a proven track record in delivering effective addiction treatment and therapy for 45 years.
“This experience will ensure that those attending D15 CAT will get internationally recognised service and assistance.”
Chief Executive of Coolmine, Pauline McKeown, said that D15 CAT will be the first port of call for those with addiction problems in the area.
“The specialist team will be working in tandem with existing services in Dublin 15,” she continued.
“They will provide a variety of substance abuse programmes as well as referring clients to appropriate residential treatment.”
Green Party councillor Roderic O'Gorman praised Coolmine at the launch of D15 CAT and the centre’s annual report.
“Coolmine Therapeutic Centre has led the way in innovative programmes for men and women looking to break addictions,” he said.
“I was delighted to be present for the launch of the new community addiction team for Dublin 15, based in Coolmine Industrial Estate.”
Coolmine currently has residential treatment facilities for men at Coolmine Lodge and Ireland’s only mother and child residential treatment facility at Coolmine Ashleigh House.
It also has a day care centre at Coolmine House in Lord Edward Street.
During 2017 Coolmine was in contact with 9,000 people. The service was delivered with a budget of €3 million, the same allocation provided in 2016.
A total of 119 men and 71 women availed of residential therapy during 2017.
Those admitted were overcoming addiction to a variety of illicit drugs as well as prescription drugs and alcohol.
Based on research, over 70 percent of those who availed of the services will remain drug free.
As drug abuse continues to rise in Ireland, there was a dramatic increase in addiction prescription drugs for anxiety disorders.
A cocktail of alcohol, cocaine and benzodiazepine pills continues to affect an increasing number of those with addiction problems, with heroin remaining the most commonly used drug among new clients.
The specialist addiction recovery services provided by Coolmine has contributed positively to reducing homelessness in Ireland.
In 2017. Coolmine worked with several other services including Peter McVerry Trust, Red Cross, Simon and Cross Care to find appropriate accommodation for 146 of its clients.