Alcohol and drug abuse services directory launched

A DIRECTORY highlighting new services for people seeking help for alcohol and drug abuse in the south has been launched.

And the directory has been published in five languages, including Russian, Arabic, Polish, French and English, for the first time.

“We welcome the availability of this directory in a range of languages, and are pleased that new community members can avail of Polish and Russian language counselling services in Arbour House,” said Maciej Gendek, an addiction counsellor at Arbour House.

Cork city lord mayor Cllr Dara Murphy yesterday launched the sixth edition of the Directory of Services for Alcohol and Drug Misuse in 2010-2012, produced by the Community Outreach Drug Awareness Project.

“In the last six months, there has been a significant investment in drugs services across the region,” said David Lane, coordinator of drug and alcohol services for HSE South. “This… has resulted in a significant reduction in the waiting list for those seeking treatment.”

The directory highlights community-based drugs projects as a first point of contact. “These projects are targeted at young drug users and offer evidence based techniques in working with drug users and their families,” says Chris Black, coordinator of the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force.

* The directory is available from the Cork City Partnership, or on www.partnershipcork.ie, www.corkldtf.ie or www.srdtf.ie.