Citywide to launch report on effects of cuts to community drug services

14 Oct 2010

CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign has announced that they will be releasing a report on the effects of government cuts on community drug services. The launch will take place at their forthcoming national conference this Friday entitled 'A Community Drugs Problem: Defining the Problem - Defending the Responses'.

Speaking ahead of the conference CityWide's Daithi Doolan said, "this conference will give a unique opportunity for those working in community projects, Drug Task Forces, national & international NGOs to come together to discuss the key challenges facing communities in their battle against the drugs crisis. The key note speaker is independent Social Researcher Brian Harvey who will be launching a CityWide report into the effects of government cuts on drug services and the communities they serve. He will also be exploring the policy of 'blame avoidance' which this government has pursued."

Doolan explained, "The title of the conference is about defining what a community drugs crisis is and encouraging communities to organise to defend the responses that have been built up over the years. Minister Pat Carey will be opening the conference. Following a meeting with Dublin's Lord Mayor we are delighted that Cllr. Gerry Breen has confirmed he too will be attending on the day. Some of the highlights of the conference will be engaging Communities of Interest, discussion on poly drug use and community responses to safety & intimidation."