Coolmine Annual Report 2019 Launch
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In 2019, Coolmine supported over 9,200 individuals and their families impacted by addiction. Seven in every ten clients achieved positive progression to employment, training or education.
With a firm commitment to provide quality services for people overcoming addiction, its support, located in seven sites, included 8,236 medical assessments, 672 psychiatric reviews, 117 housing outcomes and 117 employment/education outcomes.
Mr Alan Connolly, Coolmine Chairman said that recent research found that drug use in Ireland was increasing, with poly-drug use resulting in devastating consequences for individuals and families throughout Irish society.
“Coolmine's services, like all healthcare services, have faced unprecedented challenges with the onset of Covid. We have expanded and adapted our community, day, residential and recovery services to reflect the new normal.
What hasn’t changed is our vision- that everyone should have the opportunity to overcome addiction and lead a fulfilled and productive life. Our new 2019-2022 strategic plan Pathways to Recovery commits to improve our core services, grow new services, drive engagement, fund for the future and excellence in service delivery,” he said.
According to the 2019 annual report, 110 men from all over the country participated in the residential programmes at Coolmine Lodge. Demand for Ashleigh House services doubled, with over 63 women, (80% mothers), seeking placement daily. Coolmine committed to delivering 40 additional high-risk family placements in the Mid-West, in partnership with HSE Mid-West, Limerick City and County Council and local agencies.
Coolmine Chief Executive, Ms Pauline McKeown said that the demand for its range of services would continue to grow and COVID 19 has contributed to this growth.
“During the summer, Coolmine managed an extra 18 calls every day from people seeking advice and help for addictions. These calls were directly related to issues caused by COVD 19 lockdown.
“For example, individuals who realised, during this period, that they had drug or alcohol addiction problems called us. Other calls came from loved ones who first experienced their partners’ addiction issues while they were living and working from home. This highlights the need for additional resources for those coming out of lockdown with addiction and mental health issues,” she said.
During the year under review, the Coolmine outreach services provided over 1,600 pre-entry group support placements and referral interventions to 983 individuals. 50 clients were supported in our Traveller and New Communities Assertive Outreach Service in North Dublin Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force area.
39 individuals across homeless and addiction services were supported on an Assertive Homeless In-reach Service in the North East Inner City (NEIC) in July 2019. This service provided clinics in homeless hostels offering brief interventions, key-working and case management. 32 individuals progressed to further treatment, resulting in an 82% success rate. It was achieved through collaboration with HSE CH09 and partners.
The Community Addiction Team in Dublin 15 (D15CAT) supported 229 individuals in 2019. 1:2:1 key-working and case management.
Visit https://www.coolmine.ie/ to support Coolmine's Work.