Funding for community drug projects at 'coalface' of drugs crisis drops as addict numbers rise
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Community drug projects battling to provide essential services at the “coalface” of the drugs crisis have suffered a 4.5% drop in funding over the last 10 years, according to a coalition of local task forces.
In a pre-budget submission, the task force leaders said this cut in funding has happened at a time of “soaring inflation”, an “explosion” in the local population and “significant increases” in problem drug and alcohol use.
The group of 14 Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (LDATF) — 12 in Dublin, one in Cork City and one in Bray, Co Wicklow — is seeking a €4m increase in funding, roughly equating to 20%.
The submission lays out the following figures:
- In 2012, the allocation to the 14 task forces was €20m and by 2023 this figure had declined to €19.09m;
- The total health budget increased by 50% in the same time period;
- In 2012, the population covered by the task forces was 5,166 and by 2022 this had risen to 8,060 (+56%);
- The inflation rate has risen by 21% since 2012, most dramatically in 2022;
LDATF chairs network spokesperson Martin Hoey said: “The lack of core funding for the task forces and the community drugs and alcohol projects we support is unsustainable.
“We are experiencing a triple whammy of soaring inflation since 2012, static funding in the same period and a large increase in demand for the services we provide and support at local level.”
Grace Hill, representing the co-ordinators of the task forces, said: “The key service provision for clients such as weekly key working sessions, access to counselling etc cannot be met.
"Our clients often must wait weeks before we can support them in the way they need. That time lost can often be crucial in making a positive difference in people's lives.”
The submission cites research conducted by the Health Research Board which found that while 14% of the population live in areas classified as disadvantaged, 42% of drug treatment cases where opioids (heroin and methadone) are the main problem drug, come from these areas.
Furthermore, the submission said: “An analysis of treatment episodes shows that there were 293 cases per 10,000 people in the most disadvantaged areas with just 61 to 66 per 10,000 in more affluent areas.”
It added: “It is very disappointing that successive Governments have failed to value and invest in community drug prevention, treatment and recovery services.”
It said the lack of sufficient funding has affected the ability to recruit and retain staff, with only 31 out of 50 roles filled in 11 task forces surveyed. The biggest problems are low pay, lack of pension and lack of contract security.