Give Local This Christmas – Help St Dominic’s respond to community

RESPONDING to the needs of its community is at the heart of one local drug project, which has so far this year supported nearly 200 people.

St Dominic’s Community Response Project in Tallaght provides one-to-one support for service users in the area, and extends into other parts of Dublin as well.

The project, run by five staff members and supported by a number of volunteers, is one of the few projects in Tallaght that also prepares people for residential treatment.

“The work we do is one-to-one based, which means meeting with service users once a week and working on a treatment plan with them,” project worker Martina Curtis said.

“This one-to-one work includes preparing people for residential treatment.

“We work on the service user’s emotional management, their motivation to change and many other areas.”

She added: “We also provide groups. We have just finished a recovery awareness group and will roll out a new group in the New Year.”

According to Martina, these groups consist of two mornings a week where clients, for example, take part in workshops on relapse prevention and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

The project also runs acupuncture for clients and a weekly family support meeting.

Like other drug projects across the area, St Dominic’s strives to respond to emerging needs – creating tailored supports and programmes.

Over the last few years, according to Martina, St Dominic’s has seen a rise in cocaine particularly crack cocaine.

The project has also identified that more cohesive supports are needed for people with a dual diagnosis – an addiction issue and mental health illness.

“We strive to do the best for the service users and put the right supports in place,” Martina said.

As a charity organisation, funding is not always available to respond to emerging needs.

And this is where the community’s support this Christmas could make a difference to St Dominic’s and other local drug projects – which are all working to respond to the needs of individuals, families and communities.

So far this year, St Dominic’s has supported 197 clients through a number of its programmes.

Reaching out to others in need of support, Martina said: “During the initial assessment, people are always nervous.

“However, they see that there is support there and we look at what the best support is for each person.

“There is support in the community, it’s about taking the first step and making that call.”

Learn more about St Dominic’s Community Response Project at dominics.ie or call 01 4620624.

The Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force is leading the Give Local This Christmas campaign and appealing to members of the public to support their local drug service.

For a list of local drug projects visit the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force’s website.