Crack cocaine programme is helping over 200 active users

A CRACK cocaine harm reduction programme based in Tallaght has already helped almost 200 people who are active users of the drug, and staff are seeing success with the outcome of the project.

Called the Crack Cocaine Assertive Outreach Service, the programme began as a pilot project run by JADD (Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency) in September 2021.

The innovative project was initially self-funded by JADD but, after seeing the success of it, the HSE agreed to fund the project for three years from 2022.

The service has recently expanded as far as Firhouse, Citywest and Saggart to accommodate growing demand from people who use crack cocaine.

On two evenings and one morning a week, staff from the outreach service visit people either in their homes or in public places to provide harm reduction and encourage them to link in with services.

Tommy Gilson, manager of JADD, told The Echo: “It’s a harm reduction service primarily, we provide drug paraphernalia to stop individuals using homemade paraphernalia that damages their lungs.

“It’s primarily to reduce harm, stop the sharing of equipment, and to signpost them to other services in JADD.

“Staff go out two evenings a week and one morning. They load up their cars with harm reduction equipment, food provisions, and go to people’s houses and ‘hot spots’.

“This includes houses where you have multiple individuals using crack cocaine together, or other areas that are out in the community in locations that are hidden from public view but are in open spaces.”

One of the key successes of the service has been the collaboration between JADD, the HSE and Safetynet Primary Care, a medical charity which delivers healthcare to marginalised individuals.

Due to this link with Safetynet, many people who engage with the outreach service can receive treatment for infections and other issues that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to access.

“We’ve got good feedback about the service, and even better outcomes,” added Mr Gilson.

“We’ve had people who have commenced [drug addiction] treatment, and others have been referred onto Safetynet for antibiotics to treat infections.”

The service also aims to assist those in the throes of crack cocaine addiction into engaging in services to recover from addiction, but it presents more challenges compared to other drugs like heroin.

“Heroin has a medical replacement in the form of methadone, but crack cocaine doesn’t – there’s no substitute, and individuals often don’t engage because of this,” said Mr Gilson.

“It requires a different intervention, more of a psychological intervention than a medical intervention.”

At present, Mr Gilson said he’s pleased with the impact the service is having and added that if anyone is interested in engaging in it, there is no waiting list.

They can call JADD directly on 01 459 7756 and request a visit from the outreach team, and Mr Gilson hopes that the delivery of the programme will encourage people to engage in further services.

“The primary purpose of the service is to reduce harm,” he explained. “If we take pragmatic steps to reduce harm, we hope that individuals will engage and then will access therapeutic services.”