Groups piloting tools to test street drugs to identify new and dangerous substances

Ana Liffey chief executive Dawn Russell: 'Increased economic pressures have undoubtedly been the reason for some of the people we see ending up in homelessness.' File picture: Julien Behal

The circulation of new and potent drugs on the street and increasing homelessness increasing homelessness, including among young people leaving care and women fleeing domestic violence, are among the main trends a charity is reporting.

The Ana Liffey Drug Project says is it working with the Health Research Board in piloting tools to test street drugs in a bid to identify new and potentially dangerous substances.

The charity, which works in Dublin, the Mid-West, and most recently, the North-East, launched its 2025 annual report in Limerick on Monday.

It dealt with 4,609 individual service users last year, up from 4,511 tin 2024.

The report found housing and homelessness was the single biggest reason people sought help (28% of requests). Substance use comprised 23% of cases.

“Increased economic pressures have undoubtedly been the reason for some of the people we see ending up in homelessness,” said Ana Liffey chief executive Dawn Russell. 

The sense that we are all only one pay cheque away from the risk of homelessness really resonates at the moment.

"We are also working with younger people who have become homeless after leaving State care and women who have nowhere to live as they flee domestic violence.” 

The charity’s private emergency accommodation assertive case management team (PACT) in Dublin is the busiest of its programmes.

Almost 1,800 individuals availed of its case management service, covering needs such as housing, substance use, and training. 

As part of PACT, 855 individuals used its nursing services, 52 people used its dual diagnosis service — for those with both a substance and mental health need — and 63 availed of its domestic and sexual violence service.

Also in Dublin, 435 people used the community detox service and 469 availed of its harm-reduction supplies service.

Ana Liffey also operates the law engagement assisted recovery (LEAR) programme in Dublin and Limerick, which works with local gardaí. Some 97 people availed of it in Dublin and 91 in Limerick.

In the Mid-West service, 305 people used the clinic and the harm reduction service.

The charity ran an outreach addiction service across the Mid-West, helping 114 people in Tipperary, 86 in Clare, and 95 in Limerick.

Almost 100 people used the charity’s Limerick rough sleeper outreach service.

Ana Liffey started a new service with the Dublin Drug Treatment Court and, together with Coolmine, started a new Housing First health multi-disciplinary team in Dublin.