The appointing of a new family support worker in Galway city to help improve support available to families where there is a substance abuse problem is one of 12 healthcare projects awarded €2.28 million this week.
Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne has this week announced 12 initiatives tackling substance abuse across Community Health Organisations which have each been granted €190,000.
In CHO 2 covering the west of Ireland a new family support worker will be appointed in Galway City.
Their role will be to “create a greater awareness of the needs of families affected by substance use, increase visibility and accessibility of supports and make information readily available.”
“In addition, this support worker will build the capacity of families, professionals and service providers, enhance service provision to families and expand the evidence base on how best to support families experiencing substance misuse.”
Other projects will focus on young people, the homeless, and women who have drug or alcohol abuse problems.
Minister Byrne said that the 12 projects chosen reflect regional priorities agreed on between the HSE Community Health Organisations (CHOs) and the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to get resources where they are needed.
She added that they will strengthen the implementation of early harm reduction goals within the National Drugs Strategy and help responses to emerging trends.
“I am committed to implementing an integrated public health response to substance misuse, and to supporting those people in our communities who are struggling with addiction and need intervention and support,” Minister Byrne added.
“Working in partnership with statutory, community and voluntary sectors is central to this response, and I am confident these new health initiatives will have a positive impact and make a difference to people’s lives as they journey to recovery”.
Funding for these initiatives has begun this month and will continue until June 2022. Over this three year period the projects performances will be closely monitored to see which are effective in reducing substance abuse, and which are not.
