Give Local: TASP marks first step on road to recovery

THE Tallaght Addiction Support Project (TASP) in the Fettercairn Youth and Community Centre sees in excess of 60 clients each week to help them with their addiction issues.

For many of the people who attend the project’s services, being involved in TASP marks the first step on their road to recovery.

Clients have access to a range of supports in TASP, such as harm reduction services, counselling and alternative therapies to assist them in their recovery from drug and alcohol dependency.

TASP also runs a weekly clinic with Dr Garrett McGovern for people with heroin or opiate issues that require medical treatment, and a thrice-weekly addiction support group.

The SWAN Family Support Service is also a part of TASP’s services which offers holistic therapies and counselling services.

Tim Murphy, manager of TASP, told The Echo: “We take people who are in active use, so we do a lot of harm reduction work with people.

“Quite often we’re one of the first ports of call for them, so we do a lot of stabilisation work too.

“We can see people who are going right the way through their recovery journeys, and we have a lot of success stories.”

Tim Murphy, manager of TASP

Helping people to break out of the cycle of active addiction, with various strands of support, is at the heart of TASP’s work.

There is a strong recovery community in Tallaght and there is hope for people in active addiction, and their families, that their needs can be addressed and treated, according to Mr Murphy.

“There is help out there and there are solutions,” he said. “All of the work we do with our colleagues in the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force was really highlighted during Recovery Month.”

TASP accepts donations, which will be used to continue and develop their services and, if enough is raised, to increase their staffing levels.

“All donations we receive will go directly into running our services and resources for our clients,” said Mr Murphy.

“All donations will be gratefully received and spent well. If enough is raised, it will go into staff recruitment so we can extend the support we currently provide.”

To donate to TASP or find out more about their work, visit HERE.