Issue 21 Spring 2007 drugnetIRelAND Newsletter of the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit We have changed our name. A community drugs study The DMRD is now called the On 23 November 2006, Noel Ahern TD, Minister of State Alcohol and Drug Research with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, launched Unit. See details on p. 32. A community drugs study: developing community indicators for problem drug use.1 Dr Hilda Loughran and Dr Mary Ellen McCann of University College Dublin completed the study on behalf of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD). This report focused on three communities’ experiences The NDC of the changes in the drug situation and responses to it Directory of courses and between 1996 and 2004. The three communities selected were Ballymun, Bray and Crumlin. Minister Ahern said ‘this training programmes on drug report provides evidence of the impact and effectiveness of misuse in Ireland 2007 Government policy on drugs since 1996’. is now available. See details on p. 31. The objectives of the study as stated in the report (p. 8) were: n To explore [communities’] experiences of drug issues from 1996 to 2004 n To describe initiatives developed between 1996 and > Community 2002 which the communities perceive to have influenced any change awareness of n To explore how the communities experienced their involvement in planning and implementation substance use of such initiatives n To assess how the then community infrastructure affected the communities’ experiences. > Adolescent substance misuse A grounded theory approach was used to gather and analyse the data collected through focus groups, in-depth interviews, key participant interviews, transcriptions from team meetings, local documentation and reflections of the research co-ordinators. Local people were recruited and trained > Community addiction as community researchers, who then recruited the participants through their community network. A libraries total of 97 participants were interviewed across the three sites. All data collected were transcribed, coded and analysed in order to construct individual community profiles for the period 1996 to 2004 and identify themes across the three community profiles. Twelve themes emerged. > ROSIE: Findings 2 The key findings of the study were: > Review of alcohol n Between 1996 and 2004, polydrug use (which includes alcohol) replaced heroin as the main treatments drug problem for all of the communities involved in the study. The misuse of both prescribed and non-prescribed benzodiazepines was noted. The use of cannabis was seen as widespread and had > Treatment of become a ‘normal’ practice by the end of the study period. problem cocaine use n Alcohol misuse had a major negative effect on the lives of residents in the communities. The more problematic aspects of alcohol use were under-age drinking and subsequent anti-social behaviour among this age group. The easy availability of alcohol was due to an increase in local > Substance disorders supermarkets and off-licences in the three communities during the study period. in psychiatric n There was an improvement in the provision of opiate treatment and community-based treatment facilities interventions between 1996 and 2004. Methadone substitution programmes had some impact on heroin use but failed to tackle other drugs. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of treatment facilities for young people, in particular for alcohol. > Youth homelessness n Drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users caused devastation in the three communities. In general, these were premature deaths of young people. There was a general perception that > The NDP and the official statistics did not reflect the total numbers who died or the impact of these deaths on drugs issue other family members and the community at large. > European drug policies Improving health through research and information drugnetIRelAND contents A community drugs study (continued) 1 A community drugs study n A general sense of fear, vulnerability and n Employment opportunities had increased 2 Drug-related deaths and intimidation was experienced among the during the reporting period, and fewer strategies for prevention communities as a result of open drug people were unemployed in 2004. 3 Cocaine in local communities dealing in public areas. People reported 4 Strategy to address adolescent that there had been a decrease in the use of The report states ‘It was evident from the data substance misuse in the HSE public spaces after dark since 1996. that there were different perceptions among South Eastern area community members as to the prevalence of n A reduction in some types of crime was drug use in their areas, and the consequences 5 Community awareness and observed between 1996 and 2004, but the of different patterns of drug use’ (p. 77). This is perceptions of substance use in later phase of the study noted an increase in due to the diversity of the communities and the Cork and Kerry the number of murders associated with drug difficulty in gathering data. The report’s main 6 Tools for co-ordinating drugs dealing. initiatives in the regions conclusion is that a community-based reporting n Participants reported a deteriorating system is required to identify changes in the 7 Ana Liffey after 25 years relationship between the community and drug situation in specific communities. 8 Libraries supporting a the gardaí. (Siobhán Reynolds) community response to n There was an increase in the number addiction of children under 15 years who stayed 1. Loughran H and McCann ME (2006) A 10 Eighth annual Service of in school and an increase in those who community drugs study: developing community Commemoration and Hope completed the Leaving Certificate during indicators for problem drug use. Dublin: 11 ROSIE Findings 2: summary the reporting period. In some cases, school Stationery Office. of detoxification treatment absenteeism replaced early school leaving. outcomes 12 Young Scientist codeine study wins HRB prize 13 Hepatitis surveillance in 2005 Drug-related deaths and strategies 14 Alcohol treatments: review of effectiveness for prevention 16 The evidence base for treatment of problem cocaine The report of a working group convened by the n Consideration should be given to the provision use Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) to of overdose prevention education groups for 19 Trends in alcohol and drug examine the issue of drug-related deaths and service users. disorders in psychiatric facilities strategies for prevention was published on 21 n On discharge from prison, drug users should 1 20 The impact of drug treatment December 2006. The ICGP Working Group be allowed to link in with their local drug demand data on policy and believes that, with suitable education and treatment agency, with contact numbers practice improved awareness of the issues involved in contained in a ‘pre-release’ pack. drug-related deaths, lives can be saved. The group 21 Research on youth n Prison service personnel should facilitate supports the provisions for senior ambulance homelessness in Dublin contact with local HSE services wherever 22 Launch of Homeless Agency personnel with special training to carry naloxone possible when a known drug user is being annual report 2005 as an emergency response to opiate overdose. discharged. 23 National Advisory Committee Recommendations made in the report include: n Drug users undergoing detoxification should on Drugs – progress report n A national co-ordinated strategy to prevent be told of the risks of overdose following 23 National Development Plan opiate-related deaths should be implemented. detoxification. and the drugs issue n n Links should be established between the Garda members should receive training in 25 Drug Policy Action Group: overdose prevention. Policy Paper 1 Criminal justice National Suicide Prevention Strategy, the n drug policy in Ireland National Parasuicide Registry and the National The National Drugs Strategy Team should Drug-Related Deaths Index, in view of the research the feasibility of collecting data on 27 In brief overlap between substance abuse and suicide. non-fatal opiate overdoses or near misses. 28 Pompidou Group work programme 2007–2010 n Appropriate information and resource materials should be standardised across all The ICGP Working Group was chaired by Dr Ide 29 EMCDDA broadens its scope treatment and support locations. Delargy, director of the Drug Misuse Programme 30 European drug policies of the ICGP and included representatives from n All personnel who treat drug users should – extending beyond illicit the HSE, the voluntary sector, the Health receive training in overdose prevention and drugs? Research Board and the Irish Prison Service. basic life-support. Family members of known 31 EU research funding and the (Ena Lynn) drug users should also consider receiving basic drugs issue life-support training. 31 New Directory of training 1. ICGP Working Group (2006) Drug-related courses for 2007 n Individuals at high risk of overdose can be deaths and strategies for prevention. Dublin: identified and service providers should address 32 Changes at the HRB ICGP. The full report is available on the ICGP risky behaviours with these service users. 32 Recent publications website at www.icgp.ie 35 Upcoming events drugnetIRelAND Cocaine in local communities In March 2004 CityWide published the results of a Projects also reported increases in weight loss, survey on the extent to which 27 community-based sexually transmitted infections (STIs), heart drug projects were dealing with the problems of conditions, amputations, opiate users stabilised on cocaine use.1 The results illustrated that cocaine methadone destabilising with cocaine use, and risk was a growing problem. taking among clients using cocaine. One project reported being aware of one heroin-related death CityWide conducted a follow-up survey on cocaine in the 10 years up to 2005, in comparison with in local communities in 2006.2 Twenty-eight knowledge of four cocaine-related deaths in 2006. projects responded to this survey, 13 of which had participated in the 2004 survey.