This article is from page 6 of the 2014-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A SPECIALISED drug and alcohol initiative aimed at helping those addicted to drugs and alcohol in the West Clare area is to be officially launched next month.
The multi-agency support service for people affected by substance misuse and their families was set up six months ago as a “trial”.
Since then it has helped 22 people, and the five agencies involved in the programme now plan to extend its reach.
Margaret Nash from Bushy Park, one of the organisations involved in the programme, said the majority of the people seeking help are dealing with polydrug use – an addiction to both drugs and alcohol.
As many families in West Clare are reaching out to the service as individuals with addictions, she explained, adding that the service is open to helping not just addicts but their loved ones.
Ms Nash who has years of experience working with people with addictions said it is impossible to say what it the most prevalent drug in the area.
“To say ‘drug of choice’ is very simplistic. They may have a favourite drug, but any drug will do,” she said.
The new service is a drop-in service at the Clarecare Offices, Toler Street, Kilrush, and is free of charge.
“It is a safe and confidential area in Kilrush to find help,” said Ms Nash.
She added that isolated areas of the West Clare needed this service to be brought closer.
“It is to cover the whole of the south west area.”
The drop-in service is free of charge and is open every Thursday from 12.30pm to 2pm.
As well as Bushy Park, the service is also supported by the Mid West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, the Community Substance Misuse Team, HSE and Anna Liffey Drug Project.