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MOUNTVIEW / BLAKESTOWN COMMUNITY DRUG TEAM
DRUG SERVICES
Drop-In
The drop-in is at the heart of the CDT, it is where those in the community affected by drug use can drop in to access support, information, our health promotion/needle exchange, counselling, acupuncture, massage, referral to treatment & residential rehabilitation and detox, family support etc. It is a warm welcoming, homely non judgemental environment in which people are made to feel at ease in discussing their concerns. The Community Welfare Officer is also available at the drop-in on Thursday's from 10.30am-11.30am.
The opening hours of the Drop-In Service are:
Monday 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 1pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Health Promotion/Needle Exchange
This service aims to reduce harm caused to individuals and the community through intravenous drug use and promote healthier practices. It promotes and provides information on safer injecting practices. It also provides information on difficulties that may arise through IV drug use such as abscesses, deep vein thrombosis, Hepatitis C and H.I.V. A needle exchange also operates within this service with the provision of sterile syringes, sterile water, swabs, citric and filters. Those using the exchange can return used syringes and take away new sterile ones. It promotes and provides information on safer sex and the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections. It also provides condoms. The service also provides information on and referral to support services, treatment, testing and counselling.
The opening hours of the Health Promotion/Needle Exchange Service are:
Monday 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm & 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Thursday 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm (Hunstown/Hartstown CDT) & 5pm - 6pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Solas Clinic
This service provides drug treatment to drug users in the Dublin 15 area. It is staffed by a doctor, nurse and three project staff from Community Drug Teams in the area. Clients are referred mostly via the community drug teams but also via NAHB outreach service. Each client is treated according to their individual needs and is appointed a key worker to support them through the treatment process. The Clinic operates Thursday's
2pm - 5pm at Mountview/Blakestown CDT and 5pm - 7pm at Huntstown/Hartstown CDT. Childcare is available for those attending the clinic between 2pm and 6pm. Counselling is also available on a Thursday from 10am - 6pm and appointments can be made by calling the staff in the CDT.
Outreach
The CDT provides outreach services to the community. This involves home visits to individuals and families affected by drug use, prison visits, court support, agency visits, hospital visits, support to service users attending appointments. CDT staff are available to meet drug users and family members at any location of their choice. We support and work closely with the NAHB Outreach Service.
Acupuncture & Massage
One of the most popular services offered at the CDT is ear acupuncture. It is based on the ancient medical practice developed by the Chinese. The process involves placing sterilised disposable pins in five points on the ear and one in the centre of the head. These stimulate the central nervous system and liver and the body's immune system. The session lasts 30 minutes and often participants find they fall asleep. At the end of the process the needles are disposed and never used again. To aid relaxation we use guided imagery relaxation at the beginning of the process. There are two sessions of massage per week, Monday from 3pm - 5pm and Tuesday from 11am - 1pm. The sessions vary from 45 minutes to one hour. All appointments can be made through the CDT receptionist.
Homeless Service
The CDT offers a homeless service four days a week. Tuesday to Friday from 10am - 12pm. When a person shows up to this service they are linked in with a key worker who can direct them towards the relevant services in relation to their homelessness. Whilst at the CDT there is a complimentary range of food, tea and coffee on offer. They also have use of our shower facilities and a washer/dryer to have their clothes cleaned whilst using the service. This service is on a drop-in basis during the hours stated above.
Urine Testing
The CDT offers a urinanalysis service for clients. This confidential urine screening service is available to all clients at the request of their doctor, probation officer or solicitor. When a client needs screening for court etc. they are allocated a relevant key worker. They would then give a sample, which is sent to Claymon Laboratories. The results are sent by post over the next few days. This service is highly confidential as it is run working within strict good working practice guidelines. Appointments can be made by calling any of the staff in the CDT.
One to One Support
One to one support is a key part of our work at the CDT. The service users are given a chance to express their concerns about the way their life may be going. Following initial contact a care plan is drawn up and it's used as a guide for the person to set targets and reach goals identified as problematic or of concern in their life.
WADU Women's Group
WADU is our women's group. The initials stand for women affected by drug use. We meet every week for a few hours and a safe childcare facility is provided. We support each other through our good and bad days and we know we can rely on the confidentiality and trust within our group. Besides trying our at arts and crafts we also cover topics such as assertiveness, anger management, nutrition, health and beauty, women's rights as well as stress management techniques e.g. yoga, reiki, aromatherapy, massage and acupuncture. The highlight so far has been our days away, the beach trip during the summer and a pampering day at a health centre. If you feel you would enjoy any of these feel free to come along.
MALE Men's Group
MALE has been running over the last number of years. The main aim of the group is peer support for male (former/current) drug users. This group is sucessful at providing a space for drug users to talk, in particular about male specific issues, for example fatherhood. In addition this group has been involved in a cross border group (Seeds of Hope) and has produced works of art for an international peace conference. The men in this group like many activities but seem to enjoy fishing the most! There is a "brunch" every Friday from 2pm - 4pm organised by the group. All men are welcome to drop in.
"Word on the Street" Peer Eduction Group
Word on the Street is a youth group which was set up in the Mountview/Blakestown area of Blanchardstown in 2002. The group was set up to train young people to give correct information to their peers, around the effects of drug use. It is facilitated by Mountview/Blakestown Community Drug Team, with the assistance of a number of dedicated volunteers. The group consists of fifteen young people aged between 15 and 18. They decided to print a series of information leaflets aimed at their friends and peers who are already experimenting with various drugs. They are using a harm reduction approach, e.g. giving the target group information about the negative and postive effects of drugs and allowing them to make informed choices. The members of Word on the Street are very well informed as to the extent of drug use and the availibility of drugs in their local area. They have already published a leaflet about cannabis and are about to have a leaflet on ecstasy printed. The group has been involved in a number of activities apart from drug awareness such as karting, canoeing, quad biking, photography, massage, talking to local councillors, meeting with Drug Education Workers Forum etc. When the ecstasy leaflet has been published the group will begin research for their next leaflet. They have decided to focus on prescription drugs this time, as there has been a worrying increase in young people's misuse of tablets. So watch this space!!
Contact any member of staff for more information or appointments on any of the services or groups on offer at the Mountview / Blakestown Community Drug Team on 01 8219140 / 01 8211333.
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