Ringsend and District Response to Drugs (RDRD) launched their annual report and celebrated the graduation of some of their clients at a function in Clanna Gael hall on 8th April. The Dublin Port Company sponsored the event.

The Chairperson/Director Thomas Crilly opened the proceedings by welcoming everyone to the graduation of clients who had become drug-free over the preceding year. Before the graduation ceremony got underway the Chairperson launched the annual report.

The report contained the progress of RDRD to date and the issues that are relevant to the success of the programme in the future. The Chairman in his address stated that although RDRD maintains good working relations with the South Western Area Health Board (SWAHB) he was concerned in particular about the Brennan report and the possible restructuring and rationalisation of the existing health agencies.

A move towards a more centralised system of financial management may mean an amalgamation of existing services and it has been his experience that restructuring and rationalisation was another term for ‘cut backs’.

Mr Crilly went on to say their project would be forced to join a long queue with other disadvantaged groups, competing for important services and funding.

RDRD was also particularly concerned at the evidence of increased use of opiates in the city, Trinity Addiction research centre in conjunction with the Dublin City and County coroners have identified an alarming rate of opiate related deaths in Dublin.

Opiates are a group of drugs such as morphine and heroin, which have been used for thousand of years to lessen pain and produce euphoria. These drugs, originally derived from the juice of the opium poppy, have many benefits in medical use, but also produce sobering side effects of addiction, as does the synthetic product Methadone.

Dr. Michael Ryan a member of the board of RDRD and a founder director of the Dublin Opiate Overdose Reaction Strategy (DOORS) is highlighting concerns on this issue and particularly the fact that there were more opiate-related deaths in Dublin during the research period than road deaths. RDRD is calling on the government to invest in strategies such as DOORS, which concentrate on educating people on how to deal with drug overdose.

The eight participants who graduated drug-free through the RDRD programme and their families had experienced the full range of activities and services available throughout the year 2003 at the Spellman Centre. The participants are on the threshold of being able to live an independent life. RDRD’s commitment to the graduates will continue throughout their lives and this will provide valuable continuity and assistance for the participants.

Above: Tresa Weafer, Garda Kevin Byrne and Betty Bissett
Below: Parents and friends of RDRD.