1. John Bennett 25/05/2010
Finglas/Cabra Local Drug Task Force
Annual Review Meeting Report
December 2009
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2. John Bennett 25/05/2010
Finglas/Cabra Local Drug Task Force annual review meeting
4th December 2009, 9.30am – 1.00pm
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry
Chair: Joey Furlong
Agenda
9.30 Tea/Coffee
9.45 Welcome & introductions
10.00 An overview of the Task Force year (John Bennett)
10.20 Sub-committee presentations
• Treatment & Rehabilitation (Barbara Condon)
• Supply Reduction & Estate Management (Niall Counihan)
• Prevention & Education (Emma Keenoy)
10.50 Questions & clarifications (Joey Furlong)
11.10 Evaluation & planning small group-work
• What worked in 2009?
• What should we do less of in 2010?
• What should we prioritise in 2010?
11.45 Feedback from small groups (Facilitated by JB)
12.00 Session Summing-up (Joey Furlong)
12.15 Session close
Lunch in the hotel carvery
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Attendance at the review session
Name Organisation LDTF Committee
Joey Furlong Community rep Task Force Chairman
John Bennett LDTF Coordinator LDTF Staff
Emma Keenoy LDTF Project Worker LDTF Staff
Niall Counihan CCPF Coordinator Supply Reduction
Fergus Synnott Dublin City Council Supply Reduction & Task Force Stat. rep
Terry Kelleher Dublin City Council Treatment & Rehabilitation
Ann Ansbro Probation & Welfare Task Force
Barbara Condon FAST T&R & Task Force voluntary sector rep
Barbara Leonard Voyages Programme Treatment & Rehabilitation
Matt Travers HSE Addiction Service Task Force
Cathryn O’Reilly Cabra Resource Centre Treatment & Rehabilitation
Sandy Durham Focus Ireland Treatment & Rehabilitation
Kevin Smullen VEC Adult Education Task Force
Fergal Murphy Phoenix Aftercare Treatment & Rehabilitation
Tony Byrne Community rep Supply Reduction
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1. Overview of 2009
1.1 The review session began with a look back over matters which consumed a large
part of the LDTF agenda LDTF during 2009. These included:
1.2 Funding reductions
Concerns about the reduction in the funding allocation to LDTFs. Fortunately
Finglas/Cabra was in a position to absorb the reduction it experienced using
unspent funding from 2008.
1.3 2nd Government budget
The second Government budget caused uncertainty in the planning and delivery
of LDTF funded projects. It was not until June that LDTF projects knew for certain
what funding they would have in the second six months of the year. Gladly, the
LDTFs were assured that this would not happen again in 2010.
1.4 Wellmount
Reports on violent incidents among clients and others outside Wellmount were
given much attention by the LDTF in 2009. A communication group made up of
parents local school children, School Principals, Gardaí, HSE Clinic Management,
A City Councillor and the LDTF Coordinator was convened to identify solution to
the problem. After a number of very honest and frank discussions the HSE agreed
to re-arrange the opening times of the clinic, so that they did not clash with the
school opening and closing times. The Garda agreed to be extra visible in the
area of the clinic. This arrangement will begin in December and will be reviewed
in 2010.
1.5 FAST premises
After a complex process of consultation, the FAST building project received its
planning permission form Dublin City Council. The planning permission was then
appealed and FAST now awaits the decision of An Bord Pleanala. This decision
may not be made until March 2010 due to back logs at the Bord.
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1.6 National Drug Strategy Team
Sadly the National Drug Strategy Team was discontinued by the Minister for
Drugs. It was acknowledged by all involved in the LDTFs that the NDST played a
key role in arresting the destruction caused by the heroin epidemic and
galvanising the response of by the state and its agencies to the problem. The
amount of lives saved by all who’ve worked in this initiative is inestimable.
1.7 National Drug Strategy 2009-2016
The Government launched its interim National Drug Strategy in September 2009.
The strategy was designated interim to allow for a subsequent inclusion of
actions to address alcohol related problems in 2010.
1.8 Office of Minister for Drugs
As part of the implementation of the National Strategy an Office of the Minister
for Drugs was established in November 2009. This office replaces the
administrative and policy coordination role of the NDST.
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2. Supply Reduction & Estate Management Report
2.1 Garda drug reports
The local Garda Drug Squad reported at sub-committee meetings that they had
made a number of significant drug seizures in 2009. The valuable work done by
the Gardaí was acknowledged by the Task Force. The apparent variance in drug
seizures by the Garda between Finglas & Cabra was discussed. It was pointed out
that in regards to drugs Finglas and Cabra had different characteristics and this
may account for the variance.
2.2 The Garda also reported that a new CAB profiler is available to local Garda. This
will continue to be a very effective additional resource to the Garda in their work.
The Community Unit at Finglas was increased from 13-15 in 2009 bring much
needed additional Gardaí to the area.
2.3 The new district court at Blanchardstown was opened and it was agreed that this
should address the need for a community based court contained in the LDTF
strategic plan.
2.4 Arising for the work on the LDTF strategic objective seeking to reduce drug
dealing from private rented accommodation by those who have been evicted by
DCC. Following Dublin City Council’s communications with the HSE in regards to
this matter, the current policy is that an individual will not be eligible for rent
allowance from the HSE, if he/she is not eligible to be on the DCC housing list. An
individual cannot get on the DCC housing list if he/she has been evicted for drug
dealing from a DCC tenancy. This policy goes some way towards reducing
continued of drug dealing from private rented accommodation by individuals
who have been evicted from a DCC tenancy.
2.5 Using the resources of the SNAP project, two under-age drinking awareness
campaigns were organised in 2009. One was focused on the reducing the use of
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alcohol by young people during celebrations following the announcement of the
Leaving Cert results and another focused on proxy buying of alcohol by adults for
young people.
2.6 Dial to Stop Drug Dealing
A local launch of the Dial to Report Drugs phone line was organised in Finglas.
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3. Prevention & Education
3.1 Meetings in 2009
The meetings of the Prevention and Education Sub-Committee were restructured
to increase their relevance to the sectors attending. The sub-committee meetings
were reduced and to allow for sectoral cluster meetings of those involve in the
various aspects of P&E work locally i.e. Youth, Schools and Community.
3.2 Youth Cluster
The Youth Cluster worked on the provision of the training in Motivational
Interviewing to local youth work staff. 13 of youth workers participated. Basic
Drug Awareness Training was also organised for youth workers from the 3 main
local youth services.
3.3 School Cluster
The School Cluster worked on the provision of the training in Motivational
Interviewing to local Teachers responsible for the implementation of SPHE. Basic
Drug Awareness Training was also organised for local teachers.
3.4 Crack Cocaine training
Training was organised by the LDTF staff on Crack Cocaine for the staff of local
services. The training was well received and the quality of the trainer was
acknowledged.
3.6 Strengthening Families Programme
Local staff trained in the delivery of the Strengthening Families Programme were
brought together to plan the implementation of the programme in
Finglas/Cabra. An implementation plan was agreed and the programme will take
place in early 2010.
3.7 The After School Projects fund provided 22 grants to local schools and youth
services in 2009. Projects included art therapy, drama therapy etc.
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4. Treatment & Rehabilitation
4.1 New Aftercare Service
A new Aftercare Service began in 2009 based on the Aftercare work developed
by FAST in 2008. Two aftercare groups are now operating locally providing
support to 20 men and women. One group is based at the Cabra Resource
Centre and the other continues to operate from FAST premises in Finglas.
4.2 New cocaine counselling service in Cabra
A new cocaine counselling was started at Cabra Resource Centre.
Additional cocaine services also began in Finglas supported by FAST a report on
this service indicates a 100% increase in demand for support from people
experiencing problems arising from cocaine use.
4.3 Housing Survey
A housing survey report carried out by members of the sub-committee in 2008
was finalised and indicated that accommodation problems were a major issue
for people in contact with drug services locally.
4.4 Dormant Accounts funds for family support projects
Three Family Support Projects were recommended by the Task Force for
funding from the Dormant Accounts. These projects have all started to receive
this funding and should be completed by the end of 2010.
4.5 HSE Rehabilitation & Integration Service
A disappointing outcome of the reduction in the HSE Rehabilitation and
Integration Service locally is their ending of their client assessment role with the
Voyages Programme.
4.6 Inter-agency activity mapping exercise
A mapping exercise was organised by the LDTF with services involved in the
Treatment & Rehabilitation Sub-Committee to capture the type of client difficulty
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and number of clients’ local services were dealing with in a given week. The
exercise indicated that accommodation generated the most common client
difficulty being dealt with by local
4.8 Meeting with Judge McMahon
Members of the sub-committee attended a meeting with Judge McMahon at
Blanchardstown District Court. The Judge suggested that it would be helpful if
the court had a greater awareness of what local statutory and voluntary services
could offer to people who had addiction problems that come before him. The
discussion that followed this meeting and the Mapping Exercise highlighted that
local agencies are effectively blocked from working more closely together by
their client confidentiality policies.
4.9 Case Study exercise
To explore this further a case study was presented at a sub-committee meeting
by the Probation & Welfare Service. This confirmed that even thought the case
had relevance to all agencies represented on the sub-committee they could not
disclose if they knew the person involved due to confidentiality policies etc.
4.10 Inter-agency memorandum of understanding
Following this the view was taken that a memorandum of understanding
facilitating a safe disclosure of case information at sub-committee level would be
helpful to the progress of these cases and assist the agencies involved to provide
a more effective service to their clients. A draft memorandum was put together
by the LDTF Coordinator based on the work of other similar initiatives. The draft
is now waiting on each of the agencies represented on the sub-committee to
formally sign up to the operation of it. This is expected to happen early in 2010.
4.12 Project Progress Reports
Project progress reports were presented at sub-committee meetings on a
number of occasions during 2009. The Bridge to the Workplace programme
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made a presentation on the work experience preparation and placement work
they do with recovering drug users. Presentations were also made on the new
Aftercare Project and reports on the new cocaine services provided by FAST and
Cabra resource centre were also received.
4.13 LDTF Progression Fund
The LDTF Progression Fund was fully utilised in 2009 to support 33 individuals in
their recovery process.
4.14 LDTF Residential Rehabilitation Fund
In 2009 the LDTF Residential Rehabilitation Fund supported 4 individuals to
attend the Camino Centre near Edenderry.
The following are some of the matters the sub-committee aim to address on in
2009:
4.15 FAS participation in the sub-committee
It was reported that FAS representation at the sub-committee needs to be
addressed. There has been no representation from FAS on the sub-committee
for over a year.
4.16 HSE participation in the sub-committee
The representation by the HSE Drug Service on the sub-committee was
resolved. Mr Achal Gupta (Pharmacist) took on the role on behalf of the HSE.
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5. Feedback from small groups
5.1 Following the presentations the meeting was organised into three small groups
and asked to report back to the meeting on the following:
• What worked well in 2010?
• What should we do less of in 2010?
• What should our priorities be in 2010?
5.2 What worked well in 2010?
o The After school projects fund – supported a wide range of prevention
initiatives in local schools
o The collaborative process used to seek a solution to issues at Wellmount
Clinic
o Communication between organisations working together to prevent crisis
and aid clients
o The work put into the establishment of the new Phoenix Aftercare Project
and the work it is now doing
o Motivational Interviewing skills training organised by the Task Force was seen
as a positive and useful intervention for local youth workers and teachers
o Cocaine training event organised by the Task Force – multi-agency
approach was cost effective
o Young people and alcohol public awareness campaigns organised by the
Task Force
o The additional cocaine funding allowed the services involved to respond to
growing demand for support from the community
o Garda reports drug seizure reports
o Treatment & Rehabilitation sub-committee
o Treatment & Rehabilitation work on producing a Memorandum of
Understanding on case management
o Awareness Finglas/Cabra Review
Overall the Task Force is considered to be working well
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5.3 What should we do less of in 2010?
Sustain the work that has been built-up
Organisations less protective of service and professional boundaries
Reduce inefficiency in the use of resources
Less talk of reasons for not doing something – more talk of the things we can do
Less insular working, more collaborative working
Less rigidity, more flexible thinking on roles, job descriptions
Subject to forthcoming budget, re-prioritise LDTF objectives for the coming year
Review the agenda structure of Task Force meeting – too much time spent on
matters arising
Maintain and sustain current local services
5.4 What should our priorities by in 2010?
All local staff will have to pull together in the community interest
Accommodation needs of clients – NAMA possibilities
Review Local Drug Task Force strategic plan
Maintaining all existing baseline services that can’t be done without
Identify ways of making greater use of existing services
Develop structures that support more effective ways of working together e.g.
case management
Putting inter-agency work principles and methods into practice
Continue to develop the draft Memorandum of Understanding on case
management
Seek further information and clarity on how the seized drug money is re-
distributed back into the community
Support the implementation of the Strengthening Families Programme
Work for the successful completion of the new premises for Finglas Addiction
Support Team
Promote the need for an active master planning approach to the Wellmount
Shops and Services area
Monitoring reductions in local public and social services
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6. Summary of Community Based Drug Projects Funded by Finglas/Cabra LDTF in
2009
Project
Community Development Resource Fund
Development of Active Parenting Programme
Expansion of Garda Juvenile Diversion
Task Force Administration Worker
Cabra Community Policing Forum Project
Task Force Project Support Worker
Residential Rehabilitation Fund
FAST Drop in Centre
Let's Start Programme
Programme for Drug Using Parents
The Range Programme
Voyages
Bridge to Employment
Promote & Set Up Family Support Groups
Establish "Drug Free Support Groups"
Drug Addiction Awareness Courses
Contribute to New Counselling Service
After School Initiative Fund
Development of SNAP Campaign Cabra
Cocaine Worker FAST
Colaiste Eoin Equine Project
Football Focus
Finglas Against Drugs
Cocaine Counselling
Finglas/Cabra Aftercare
Additional Cocaine Services
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7. Finglas/Cabra Local Drug Task Force Members
Name Organisation
Joey Furlong Cabra Community rep.
Inspector Duff An Garda Síochána
Matt Travers HSE Drug Treatment Service
Cllr D. Ellis Dublin City Council
Cllr S. McGrattan Dublin City Council
Cllr Redmond Dublin City Council
Michael O’Riordan FAS
Jimmy Malone Dept of Education & Science
Margaret Geraghty Dublin City Council, Finglas
Fergus Synnott Dublin City Council, Cabra
Ann Ansbro Probation Service
Kevin Smullen City of Dublin VEC, adult ed.
Martina Buckley Cabra Aftercare Project
Joan Duffy Cabra R.C.
Sean Coultry Cabra Community Rep
Barbara Condon FAST (voluntary sec)
John Bennett LDTF Coordinator
Mary Ryan Fingal Centre (voluntary sec)
Vivienne O’Brien Drug Advisory Group Liaison
Debbie Whelan Community – Finglas South
Michelle Culligan Community – Finglas West
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