The South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force has been approved funding of €70,000 in 2008/ 2009 under the Dormant Accounts scheme for a programme of Family Support projects.

Dormant Accounts funding is awarded subject to the conditions set out in the Dormant Accounts Board Disbursement Plan 2006. All applications received by the Drugs Task Force for funding under this programme must be assessed in line with the Guiding Principles and Implementation Principles.

The aim of the Family Support programme is to provide a focused effort through once-off funding to build capacity and competency in community and voluntary services around family support to help families cope with the problems associated with substance misuse in the family. All proposals must be in line with Action 108 of the National Drug Strategy 2001-2008.

Examples of the initiatives that will be considered are:
* Developing local family peer support groups (room hire, training, childcare).
* Developing networks of family support groups within a Task Force area.
* New initiatives to engage with men and grandparents in need of support but currently not accessing services.
* Training and delivery of family-based intervention programmes around effective parenting.
* Parent education in relation to positively contributing to their children who are accessing drug treatment services– understanding the process, diet, coping with relapse etc.
* Mediation services to support the re-entry of service users back into their families.
* Family rehabilitation services that engage the family unit in processes for change.

For application forms and guidelines, please contact Bridge House, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Chairperson: Cllr. Dermot Lacey. Co-ordinator: Colm Browne.Phone: 6206438. Fax: 6206401. Mobile: 087-2672164. E-Mail: colm.browne@hse.ie
Local contacts: Theresa Rooney at 6601327 and Theresa Weafer at 6677666.