Deprivation of Dublin’s inner city

The prevalence of prescription drug-dealing and the severe lack of drug-free recovery centres in Dublin’s north inner city are some of the challenges facing the area, according to its community leaders.

“We held a community brainstorming session to inform the government taskforce that’s being set up to address the issues of deprivation in the north inner city,” addiction counsellor at Hope, Irene Crawley, told the Irish Examiner.

The session followed a visit by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the area last week, where he promised that a taskforce for the north inner city would be established.

About 100 leaders including TDs, councillors, activists and volunteers, came together yesterday to discuss matters such as policing, housing, and addiction and recovery.

Long-time community activist and former Labour minister Joe Costello said there was one issue above all that plagued the north inner city.

“Mountjoy Prison is the biggest drug treatment facility in the country and there is no link-up when a prisoner comes out. It’s a nightmare,” he said.

“This is the issue that deserves the most immediate attention. There is a probation service there but there is nothing that connects the prison with clinics, services and local authorities.

“It’s all fragmented, there is no co-ordination.”

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IRISH EXAMINER 9/6/16 – Calls to solve issue of housing for drug addicts

The Irish Examiner’s Cormac O’Keeffe reports – Many recovering drug addicts relapse as they cannot access appropriate housing, a leading treatment service has said.

Coolmine, established in 1973, urged the Government to develop an “inter-agency approach” to housing to deal with the problem.

Chairman Alan Connolly said while 85% of its clients remain drug-free two years on, not everyone did.

“Many of those who relapse tend to be those who cannot find appropriate housing and end up either returning to a drug-addiction environment or to a difficult family situation or living rough,” he said.

Mr Connolly urged housing minister Simon Coveney to take into consideration the needs of those who successfully tackle their addictions when addressing housing problems.

Speaking at the launch of Coolmine’s 2015 annual report, he called on the minister to strongly consider an interagency approach to ensure long-term sustainability.

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