An education programme which teaches people how to respond to drug addiction in their communities is to spread from Ballymun to five other areas of Dublin next month. Set up by the Urrus project in Ballymun, and funded by the EU and the Eastern Health Board, it is to be taught in Tallaght, Crumlin, Finglas, Dundrum and Dun Laoghaire.
The Minister of State responsible for co-ordinating Government anti-drug initiatives, Mr Chris Flood TD, said yesterday that the growth of the scheme will help more community leaders to take a role in directing efforts to tackle the drugs crisis in their areas.
"There's a lot more confidence within communities themselves at how they're beginning to get a say in tackling the problem in their own areas, from the point of view of drug treatment and education," he said.
In Ballymun yesterday, Mr Flood presented certificates from the National Council for Vocational Awards to the latest graduates of the 20-week course. Some of the 100 people who have done the course since it was set up four years ago have gone on to help establish treatment and education programmes in their areas, while others use the training when other social work brings them into contact with drug addicts, says Mr John Adams of Urrus.
"The positive results are now bearing fruit in the community, as people have a better understanding of the complexity of addiction and are now skilled in how to respond more effectively," he said.
Mr Flood said the Government was committed to spending £14 million set aside by the last government to fund community initiatives in 12 task-force areas, mainly in Dublin. About half of the money has already been allocated.