Youth Work Forum - Blogs http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/blog.php The Youth Work Forum was designed to be an online one stop shop for youth workers and others working with young people to engage in and share information. en Sat, 19 May 2012 15:14:45 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Youth Work Forum - Blogs http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/blog.php Principles of Prevention http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?19-Principles-of-Prevention Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:07:03 GMT Prevention Principles & Substance Misuse



Strategic Aim
• To promote throughout society a greater awareness, understanding and clarity of the
dangers of drug misuse.

Strategic Objective
• To develop a greater understanding of the dangers of problem drug use among the
general population.
• To promote healthier lifestyle choices among young people and other vulnerable groups
at risk of problem drug use, through personal development, life skills and harm reduction
approaches (NDS interim 2009 -2016, pg 28, table 3.1.).

PRINCIPLE 1
Programs and approaches need to focus on enhancing protective factors. The aim is to reverse or reduce risk factors associated with substance use. Drug misuse involves a number of differing relationships and risk factors (e.g., deviant attitudes & behaviors) and protective factors (e.g. parental support).
Age is a factor that may influence the type of relationship and potential risk. E.g. family factors will impact on the learning of younger children, with older adolescent factors such as peer groups present a greater risk.
Early interventions play a significant role in prevention (e.g. aggressive behavior and poor self-control) the earlier the intervention the more potential to equip the young person with the skills to make informed choices (self efficacy).
Bear in mind that each individual is different. Areas such as family, age, gender, ethnicity, culture, environment and socio economic circumstance all play a significant role in shaping young peoples attitudes, value systems and behaviors.

PRINCIPLE 2
Interventions need to include all aspects of substance misuse including legally available substances and illicit substances.

PRINCIPLE 3
Targets for prevention need to focus on the substance available in the community, risk factors associated with theses substance need to be identified and used as part of the prevention programme.

PRINCIPLE 4
Prevention needs to be specific to the group identified, factors for consideration include age appropriate information (non-enabling), gender, ethnicity, literacy, setting, time scale and method of delivery. Planning is essential (NIDA 2008).

Family Programs
PRINCIPLE 5
Family focused prevention programs need to enhance family bonding and relationships. Specific areas include parenting skills; practice in developing, discussing and maintaining family rules / boundaries re substance use / misuse. Education / knowledge re legal and illicit drugs, available drugs, drugs used in the community, signs / symptoms & effects are important factors in identifying substance use / misuse. This information will equip families to be more effective in their response i.e. prevention / intervention. Parental monitoring / rule-setting / methods of activity monitoring, praise and reinforcement of appropriate behavior, discipline, boundaries, communication, consistency and agreed consequences for negative behaviors (possibly drafting a contract with the young person). Family-focused interventions for the families of young people at risk may help change specific parenting behavior in turn reducing risks of substance misuse. (NIDA 2008).
School Programs

PRINCIPLE 6
Pre-school prevention programmes are identified, these programmes address common risk factors associated with drug misuse, the programmes focus on areas such as behaviors, social skills and learning / academic difficulties.

PRINCIPLE 7
Elementary prevention programmes focus on improving academic learning, social-emotional learning that contributes to risk factors that may lead to drug misuse. As identified with Pre-school programmes areas such behavior, academic failure and school attendance / dropout should be focused on, Self-Control, Emotional Awareness, Communication Skills, Social Problem-Solving and Academic Support especially literacy.

PRINCIPLE 8
Middle, Junior High & High School students should focus on Academic & Social competencies, area identified include, Study Habits / Academic Supports / Communication Skills / Peer Group Relationships / Self-efficacy / Assertiveness / Substance Resistance Skills / Identification and Reinforcement of Negative attitudes to drugs and the Strengthening of Personal Commitments against drug misuse (NIDA 2008).

Why is school-based prevention important?
• School settings are appropriate substance misuse prevention programmes. Schools
have the capacity to reach significant numbers of children. Teachers / staff in schools
can identify and target children at an early age before attitudes to certain norms e.g. its
cool to smoke have been adopted by children.
• Supporting the development of children through the school curricula can be identified as
a preventive approach / intervention.
• Good school environments including extra curricular activities can contribute to better
school performances and are linked to the lesser probabilities of substance misuse.
• The role of schools is to deliver knowledge, skills and values re health, development and
substance misuse (EU-Dap 2002).

School policies should include:
• The rationale for preventing drug misuse.
• Rules and consequences re substance misuse whether on school property, on trips
and any functions related to the school that students, parents and significant others are
attending or involved in.
• Education for all students re avoiding substance misuse.
• Interventions for all staff and students where substance misuse may become / is an issue
e.g. referral / links to appropriate community services.
• A clear process re informing substance misuse policies to students, staff, parents or
families, visitors and the community.
• School-based education programmes that are designed to prevent the use / misuse of all
substances (EU-Dap 2002).

Community Programs
PRINCIPLE 9
Prevention programs aimed at general populations at key transition points, such as the transition to middle school, can produce beneficial effects even among high-risk families and children. Such interventions do not single out risk populations and, therefore, reduce labeling and promote bonding to school and community.

PRINCIPLE 10
Community prevention programs that combine two or more effective programs, such as family-based and school-based programs, can be more effective than a single program alone.

PRINCIPLE 11
Community prevention programs reaching populations in multiple settings—for example, schools, clubs, faith-based organizations, and the media—are most effective when they present consistent, community-wide messages in each setting.

PRINCIPLE 12
Different Communities have different needs and requirements. These may include Community Norms & Cultural Needs. Areas identified include The Structure e.g. how the program is organised & constructed, The Content of the Programme e.g. the information, skills & strategies included and The Delivery of the Programme e.g. how the program is adapted, implemented & evaluated.

PRINCIPLE 13
Prevention Programs are more effective if they long-term opposed to one off. This requires repeated interventions e.g. follow up / booster programs, this help reinforce the original prevention goals set out in the programme. Research identifies shows that the benefits and effectiveness of programmes may reduce if there is not a continuum through schools e.g. Pre-school – high school.

PRINCIPLE 14
Identifies teacher training re areas such as classroom management e.g. rewards for appropriate behaviors. This can impact and maintain positive behaviors, achievement, motivation and school / student bonding.

PRINCIPLE 15
To be effective teachers should use interactive approaches. Peer groups using discussion, parental role-playing techniques contribute toward positive learning re drug misuse and foster development of reinforcement skills.

PRINCIPLE 16
Research acknowledges that Prevention Programs can be financially cost-effective. Research identifies that for each dollar invested that there can be saving of up to $10 in the long term re treatment for alcohol or other substance misuse issues (NIDA 2008).

Collated by Greg Christodoulu ]]> drugsinfo http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?19-Principles-of-Prevention Alcohol Misuse in Government plans http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?18-Alcohol-Misuse-in-Government-plans Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:55:41 GMT GOVERNMENT PLANS to put alcohol abuse alongside drug abuse have been welcomed by leading activists in the treatment of addiction problems. Image:... GOVERNMENT PLANS to put alcohol abuse alongside drug abuse have been welcomed by leading activists in the treatment of addiction problems.



However, the drinks industry has concerns about the policy.

Alcohol is a “gateway drug” to illicit drugs such as ecstasy and heroin, and measures to tackle it in the forthcoming National Substance Misuse Strategy will “have to be radical”, according to a member of the steering committee.

Fergus McCabe, who was speaking at the publication of the Merchants Quay Ireland annual review in Dublin yesterday, was commenting on plans by Minister of State for Health with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, Róisín Shortall, to include alcohol in the next strategy, linking it with illicit drugs.

“We have been talking about the damage alcohol does for years and we have never seriously faced up to really doing something about it,” said Mr McCabe, who is also a member of the National Drugs Task Force.

“Most of the local drugs task forces will tell you that alcohol is doing far more damage to families and communities than illegal drugs – though that is obviously not to minimise the devastating impact of the drugs crisis.

“Though poverty is probably the greatest gateway factor to drug abuse, there is no doubt alcohol acts as one too and if we are going to be serious about tackling alcohol the measures in the new strategy are going to have to be radical.”

The steering committee on substance misuse is due to report in coming weeks and the National Substance Misuse Strategy will be published “before the end of the year”, said Ms Shortall.

“When looking at illicit drugs we keep coming back to alcohol as posing a bigger threat to young people than drugs. Alcohol misuse blights our society. I think the time is right for this, that society can no longer accept the damage alcohol is doing. It wants us to at last take on the problem of alcohol misuse in a very serious way.”

She told The Irish Times she wants to introduce a minimum price for alcohol to stop below-cost selling, to reduce the number of outlets where it is available, to reduce alcohol industry sponsorship of sports and music events and to “really strengthen enforcement of the laws against sales to underage customers”.

Katherine D’Arcy, acting director of the Alcohol and Beverage Federation of Ireland, said her members did not accept that drugs and alcohol should be treated in the same way.

“Alcohol when enjoyed in moderation is not a health risk, unlike illicit drugs. It is far too complex an issue to say using alcohol leads to taking drugs. There are many more issues.”

The federation is on the steering committee and had “co-operated fully with it”, but she did not comment on possible recommendations.

Mr McCabe said there was probably “no other country, even in northern Europe, where drink, and getting drunk, is seen as so integral to everything – christenings, funerals, retirements, engagements, sports events, concerts, a night out”.

“Drinking alcohol is very much part of our culture,” said Ms Shortall.

“We need to break that. We all know its cost to society, to the economy, the health services, to mental health services.” ]]> drugsinfo http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?18-Alcohol-Misuse-in-Government-plans Crystal Meth Ireland http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?17-Crystal-Meth-Ireland Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:10:02 GMT Methylamphetamine (commonly referred to as methamphetamine) is one of a group of stimulant drugs called amphetamines that act on the brain and... Methylamphetamine (commonly referred to as methamphetamine) is one of a group of stimulant drugs called amphetamines that act on the brain and nervous system.



Like cocaine and amphetamines, methylamphetamine has stimulant properties but is much longer acting. The crystalline form – sometimes called ‘Ice’ – like ‘crack cocaine’ can be easily smoked and can rapidly lead to high blood levels. It’s also long-acting compared to crack so it’s an extremely powerful and addictive stimulant.

Slang: Street names for drugs can vary around the country. Ice, glass, Tina and Christine, yaba.

The effects

It can bring on a feeling of exhilaration and produces increased arousal and activity levels.
People feel more awake and it suppresses appetite.
Smoking the purer crystalline form (also known as 'crystal meth' or 'ice') produces a very intense 'rush' similar to that produced by crack cocaine but longer-lasting - between 4 and 12 hours.

Chances of getting hooked

Extended use can lead to psychological and physical dependence. Injecting the drug intravenously or smoking it is highly addictive.

The greater potency of the 'ice' form, particularly when smoked, makes it a more dangerous drug than other forms of methylamphetamine.

Illicit methylamphetamine is produced in tablet, powder, or crystalline forms. These products are taken orally, snorted or injected but, unlike amphetamine, methylamphetamine can also be smoked.

The tablet form is sometimes referred to as 'yaba' and the crystalline smokeable form often referred to as ‘ice’.

The drug can cause a rapid heart rate and a rise in blood pressure. The higher the dose, the greater these effects.

Other acute effects include agitation, paranoia, confusion and violence.
Methylamphetamine-induced psychosis has been widely reported in countries where there’s epidemic use. Psychosis is a serious mental state where you lose touch with a sense of reality. There is some evidence of long-term brain changes that may gradually improve after sustained abstinence.

In cases of overdose – stroke, and lung, kidney and gastrointestinal damage can develop, and coma and death can occur.

Methylamphetamine use can be associated with injecting and with sharing of paraphernalia with attendant risks of HIV and hepatitis virus infections.
Using the drug may also increase libido and risky sexual behaviour thereby increasing further the risk of blood borne virus transmission in some.


DRUG experts have expressed alarm at the first major seizure in Ireland of crystal meth, a highly addictive and destructive drug that has laid waste to many US communities.

Customs and gardaí intercepted 2.5kg of the drug, with an estimated street value of €250,000, at Dublin Airport.

"Crystal meth is one of those drugs that is ‘red flagged’, that everyone is keeping an eye on," said Dr Des Corrigan, chairman of the National Advisory Committee of Drugs.

"It is well recognised it could get out of hand fairly quickly and become a significant problem rapidly, because of the nature of the drug," he said. "Our antennae would twitch when there’s a seizure, large or small, to see if it’s the beginning of a trend."

The haul was discovered when customs officers at Dublin Airport stopped a 39-year-old man from Lesotho, Africa. The drugs were concealed in the framework of two suitcases.

The only other big seizure of methamphetamine here was in powder form.

Dr Corrigan said the drug, also known as "ice" or "crank", was "significantly worse" than cocaine. "This is due to the length of time it lasts: 10 times longer than cocaine. The typical length is 10 hours, with cocaine it’s around an hour."

He said the effects were also significantly magnified.

"Hyper-stimulation, risk of paranoia and violence, toxic effects on the heart, and, unlike cocaine, there is neurotoxicity — nerve damage. Crystal methamphetamine is to amphetamine what crack is to cocaine."

Fr Peter McVerry, who works with homeless people and drug addicts, said he had come across reports of it in the last 12 months.

"I have dealt with a couple of people on crystal meth. My information from drug users is it’s now widespread in Ballymun. The evidence suggested to me was that it was about to come into the country in a big way.

"It is far more destructive than any drug currently on the streets. Now is the time for the Government to take action, before the problem gets out of hand."

In September 2009, gardaí in Tralee, Co Kerry, made three seizures of crystal meth, including one haul worth €7,500.

In July 2008, gardaí and Customs seized almost 5kg of powder methamphetamine in Birr, Co Offaly.

- HSE drugs helpline: 1800 459459; www.drugs.ie ]]> drugsinfo http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?17-Crystal-Meth-Ireland Ireland’s drug problem continues to grow outside of Dublin http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?16-Ireland’s-drug-problem-continues-to-grow-outside-of-Dublin Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:19:05 GMT THE DEMAND FOR homeless and drugs services continues to increase in Ireland and the problems are not just growing in the capital. Image:... THE DEMAND FOR homeless and drugs services continues to increase in Ireland and the problems are not just growing in the capital.



According to Merchants Quay Ireland’s Annual Review for 2010, the drugs crisis is a national crisis as it is not confined to Dublin.

The charity now operates in eleven counties across Ireland and over 20 per cent of clients accessing its residential rehabilitation services are from the greater Cork region.

Despite a significant drought in heroin in the last six months of 2010, MQI worked with 575 new injectors throughout the year.

Altogether, the organisation worked with 4,308 clients in its drugs services and, during the year, the number of visits to MQI’s needle exchange was just under 25,000.

The demand for drugs remains constant, said chief executive Tony Geoghegan.

“The figures serve as a reminder that heroin use remains at very high levels and that significant numbers of new people are beginning to use heroin every year,” said MQI.

The charity said there continues to be evidence of a strong link between homelessness and drug use. More than one third of admissions to the Drug Treatment programme in Drumcondra were people who were previously homeless.

Homelessness

About 60 people sleep rough on Dublin city’s streets every night, MQI highlighted in the report.

MQI provides a drop-in service aimed at minimising the harm associated with life on the streets. In 2010, it recorded 6,585 supportive interventions, which include referrals to emergency accommodation, social work, medical and social welfare services, help in contacting family and access to drug treatment.

Nurses at the clinic provide a full-range of primary health services, including wound care, blood testing and sexual health services. Last year, they dealt with about 186 cases a month, 14 per cent more than the previous year.

MQI’s report shows that it provided almost 58,000 meals for homeless people throughout the year – an increase of about 12,000, or 26 per cent on 2009 figures.

On Sundays, more than 400 people on average attend the centre for breakfast and lunch.

This is an indication of the increasing poverty and desperation experienced by so many in Ireland, said chief executive Tony Geoghegan.

Affecting the vulnerable

Chairman Hugh McKenna said the ongoing effects of the economic crisis continue to impact on the most vulnerable in society.

“During 2010, we have seen an ongoing increase in people seeking help in our homeless and drug services and this shows no sign of letting up.”

There is a chronic need for evening services for homeless people, added the organisation.

“As the economic recession continues, demand for our homeless and drugs services is growing rapidly, yet finances are contracting,” Geoghegan said at the launch of the report.

However, MQI has tried to meet needs by increasing the national bed detox capacity by 30 per cent and establishing new initiatives including women’s services.

It is important to highlight the fact that drug treatment works, both on the human and on the economic level,” said Geoghegan. “Evidence from the British Home Office’s review of drug treatment outcomes found that for every £1 spent on drug treatment there was a £3 saving in criminal justice costs alone. When Health and welfare savings were included the saving rose £9.50.”

“Most of all, investing in all of these areas, such as our new detox unit, reduces the misery associated with drug use and homelessness for the individual, their families, their communities and society as a whole.” ]]> drugsinfo http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?16-Ireland’s-drug-problem-continues-to-grow-outside-of-Dublin Coroner ‘amazed’ more don’t die from binge drinking http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?15-Coroner-‘amazed’-more-don’t-die-from-binge-drinking Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:27:06 GMT Coroner ‘amazed’ more don’t die from binge drinking Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/dubsbhoy/blogs/images.jpg THE... Coroner ‘amazed’ more don’t die from binge drinking



THE recently-retired Dublin coroner has expressed concern about binge drinking among young people and said it is surprising that greater numbers do not die from the effects of alcohol, considering what they drink.

Dr Kieran Geraghty, who described binge drinking as "very dangerous" said young people are "oblivious to the real dangers" of alcohol.

"Alcohol is probably the biggest killer," he said. "One of the things that shocks me nowadays as a doctor is (that) I have young people coming in to me and they seem to want to binge drink," added Dr Geraghty, who has just retired as Dublin County coroner after 12 years. "I can remember going... I was about 19, to a dance and drank a whiskey for the first time and I got as sick as a dog. I have never liked whiskey to this day. I learned my lesson. But they go out and get sick every weekend.

"They don’t just go out to have a pleasant few drinks. They are drinking shots and they are competing to see how much they can drink. It’s so dangerous. It’s amazing more of them don’t die from it," he said.

"As I doctor, I explain to them if you drink a lot of alcohol, it’s like an anaesthetic and if you’re lying back and vomit, you are going to inhale your vomit and you are not going to wake up. Or else if you drink enough alcohol you just won’t wake up from it.

"But they are oblivious to the real dangers of it," he said.

He warned that women are much more vulnerable than men because they are not able to metabolise alcohol.

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/archives/2011...#ixzz1ZNZ3fg9K ]]> drugsinfo http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?15-Coroner-‘amazed’-more-don’t-die-from-binge-drinking Neuroscience and addiction recovery http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?14-Neuroscience-and-addiction-recovery Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:23:19 GMT There will be interesting insights into the some of the more recent breakthroughs in science and addiction at Toranfield House’s upcoming NEAR... There will be interesting insights into the some of the more recent breakthroughs in science and addiction at Toranfield House’s upcoming NEAR conference.



Prof Carlton Erickson is a research Scientist, distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, as well as serving as Director of the Addiction Science Research & Education Centre in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas. He is a hugely popular international speaker, drawing on more than 30 years’ experience working in this field and will speak at the upcoming Neuroscience and Evidence based practices for Addiction & Recovery (NEAR) conference in the Ritz Carlton in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, in November.

Prof Erickson believes that the quality of addiction science now compares very favourably with research on the causes and treatments for other ailments such as cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening diseases. Extensive research on addiction has been ongoing for more than 20 years in at least four colleges and several departments at the University of Texas in Austin, as well as its collaborative efforts working alongside many other academic institutions around the world.

This body of research has greatly improved our knowledge about issues such as the causes of harmful drinking and drugs, the genetics of alcohol dependence and the development of new medications to help those in addiction.

Due to several breakthroughs in genetics, neurobiology and neuropharmacology over the past number of years, scientists now know that some people who drink or take drugs harmfully can develop a full-blown disease — literally making them unable to stop without help.

Prof Erickson will explain that while many people drink or use drugs too much because of poor choices, significant numbers of people develop the disease of ‘chemical dependence’, commonly known as ‘addiction’.

And while people often argue over whether alcoholism and addiction are actual diseases, the research Prof Erickson will present clearly shows that one type of drinking and drugging (chemical dependence) is a definitive, diagnosable, brain pathology in the realm of epilepsy, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

This means what is popularly called ‘addiction’ is a neuropsychiatric problem, resulting from ‘dysregulation’ of specific parts of the brain.

Prof Erickson explained: “In the normal human brain, the ‘reward pathway’, known as the mesolimbic dopamine system, enables us all to experience pleasure or the feeling of joy that accompanies normal, daily things or happy events — the birth of a new baby, the college graduation, a wedding. In the addictive brain, however, something goes wrong with the reward pathway, so those pleasurable nerve signals being sent to the frontal lobes — behind the forehead, the thinking/processing/judging part of the brain — are misinterpreted as encouragement to continue to use the chemical, even though adverse consequences may either be looming or actually occurring.

“Simply put, addictions are the result of our brain losing the ability to recognise it is time to stop drinking or using drugs,” he commented. In his view, it is essentially the same as the schizophrenic person losing the ability to dampen ‘internal voices’ without getting some sort of help. Scientists are still working to find out exactly what goes wrong at the cell or neuron level in addiction.

He continued: “There is a huge difference between drug addiction — chemical dependence — and drug abuse, which is where people make bad choices and show foolish or often illegal behaviours around drug taking. Drug abuse is a self-controllable condition that is often reduced by education, punishment, maturity or increased willpower. People who are chemically dependent, on the other hand, usually require powerful intervention and intensive treatment that can be expensive or prolonged.”

Some of the breakthrough research in the addiction field that Prof Erickson will be talking about has been massively under-reported, considering the financial and societal costs of these diseases. These include breakthroughs such as:

• Practitioners can now specifically diagnose chemical dependence, using research criteria published by the American Psychiatric Association and WHO;
• The same criteria will discern willful drug abuse from pathological chemical dependence (the difference between drug abuse and drug dependence);
• A formidable body of high-quality research has determined that a certain percentage of alcohol and other drug users will develop chemical dependence. For example, it is estimated that about 25 per cent of heroin users, 32 per cent of nicotine users and 15 per cent of alcohol users will become chemically dependent during their lifetimes.
• There is overwhelming evidence that chemically-dependent individuals have a brain disease that can develop from early use (but also from long-term use) of drugs and that genetic vulnerability, plus other environmental factors, also play a role.
• Recent studies with brain scans suggest how 12-step programmes and addiction therapies do work. It appears they normalise the dysregulation of the brain’s reward pathway, involving a change in neurotransmitter systems that have gone wrong.

To register for the NEAR Conference and hear Prof Erickson and other leading international speakers, log on to www.toranfieldhouse.com or email jackie.l@tornafieldhouse.com or call +353 1 276 2300.

The Conference runs from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 November 2011 and costs £300 for the three days. Places are limited so early booking is advised. ]]> drugsinfo http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?14-Neuroscience-and-addiction-recovery youth employment. http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?13-youth-employment Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:21:08 GMT i am currently doing some research into setting up a youth employment initiative. i need to do some market research on get peoples opinions and... i am currently doing some research into setting up a youth employment initiative. i need to do some market research on get peoples opinions and attitudes on the importance of young people and employment, gaining experience etc.
i am also looking for further research already done in the area so any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks so much
mags ]]> magsbrowne http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?13-youth-employment Youth Sector Workers Angered by Minister’s Hypocrisy http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?12-Youth-Sector-Workers-Angered-by-Minister’s-Hypocrisy Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:51:55 GMT Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/dubsbhoy/stop-the-cuts.jpg Youth sector workers were angered by Minister John Gormley’s recent...

Youth sector workers were angered by Minister John Gormley’s recent comments that the Government cannot stop pay rises for Anglo-Irish Bank staff. On the 27th March, Minister Gormley stated that Government could not interfere in the pay rates of the “zombie bank” as the State does not directly control the contracts of the bank workers; however when it comes to youth sector workers the same principles don’t seem to apply.
Workers in the youth sector are employed by independent companies which are contracted by the State to deliver services and programmes for young people.

Despite the independent standing of these companies, City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB), a State funding body, has instructed companies to cut workers pay by 9%. The decision to cut pay rates was taken without consultation with the workers or the opportunity to make alternative pay cuts were in addition to funding cuts in 2009.
savings through non-wages expenditure. The pay cuts were in addition to funding cuts in 2009.

Youth worker, Fran McVeigh, said: “there seem to be one rule for the apparently untouchable bankers who are receiving pay rises, but when it comes to youth workers and others in the community sector, there are no issues with dictating pay cuts, even though we are employed by independent companies”. In response to this unilateral action by the CDYSB and other funding agencies, youth sector workers have decided to fight against cut backs by organising in a Union. On the 28th January over 60 workers attended a meeting in Liberty Hall organised by Dublin youth service workers where a unanimous decision was taken to defend wages and funding against cuts. Since then youth workers have been successfully organising with their colleagues and in late March the issue of pay cuts was referred to the Labour Relations Commission.

SIPTU activists have also been involved in a wider campaign to protect funding for the youth sector including a Dublin Focus on Youth organised protest on 27th January at Dáil Éire-ann where hundreds of workers and teenagers delivered a loud and energetic message to Government.

From the SIPTU Newsletter

[VBTUBE="8n_ucT9leKc"]8n_ucT9leKc[/VBTUBE] ]]> youthworkforum http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?12-Youth-Sector-Workers-Angered-by-Minister’s-Hypocrisy Mephedrone http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?11-Mephedrone Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:06:36 GMT Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/dubsbhoy/youthwork/mephedrone.jpg **Surely you know not to swallow plant food ** **DEADLY DANGER...

Surely you know not to swallow plant food
DEADLY DANGER OF FERTILIZER DRUG


IT WAS only a matter of time before the body count started.
Now, in the space of a week, three teenage lads on the threshold of life are dead from snorting plant food.
PLANT FOOD. When you say it out loud, it's so stupid, so senseless, that it's hard to believe that anyone with half a brain would even think about taking plant food to get high.
But, while the families of two teenage pals down south are still in shock, the grieving mother of Jordan Kiltie, above, weeps in Ayr as she tells how the 19-year-old collapsed and died last weekend after taking mephedrone.

A gut-wrenching waste of young life, and for what? So they can feel top of the heap for a few hours off their faces in a nightclub?
So they can boast on internet forums and swagger at school about how wasted they got at the weekend on 'moonshine' or 'meow meow' or 'the drone', as they call this new craze sweeping the country?
I warned here two months ago that the Government should get off their backsides and ban this deadly legal high that can be bought online from unscrupulous internet dealers.

Now there is a political clamour to make capital out of the deaths. With an election looming, politicians are wringing their hands, blaming each other and making demands, when the fact is few of them had even HEARD of mephedrone until this week.

Of course it should be banned, and quickly. Anybody with any sense can see that.
Kids are buying it for a fiver a time off the internet. It's cheaper than cocaine and gives a similar kick.
In an interview this week, one 17- year-old college student from Ayr boasted that 75 per cent of his classmates are snorting it at weekends.
It's frightening. So good on nightclubs in Aberdeen for leading the way by banning the drug as well as anyone caught using it on their premises.
But there comes a point when young people have to take a bit of responsibility for themselves.

We cannot simply blame the Government for dragging their feet on this

 My heart breaks for Jordan's mother. Her son was a fit, healthy teenager before he collapsed and died in front of his 15-year-old sister after a night out.
But this was a bright lad of 19. Around the same age as Nick Smith and Louis Wainwright who died in S****horpe earlier in the week. They were old enough to know that if they take a drug that is used as a plant fertilizer, there's a distinct chance it will also be dangerous. It's as simple as that. A nine- year-old kid would know that.

Yes, I'm sorry these boys are dead - because death is not on the agenda of teenagers who think they're ready to take on the world.
But pointless deaths like this sicken me to the core as much as they make me sad.

Their families have been robbed of seeing them grow up. For a momentary high, they have left behind a trail of broken people, who will never again speak their name without choking back tears of frustration and loss.

It's so unfair and selfish. I don't buy any of the crap that because this drug is legal, kids presume it is safe. It's nonsense. Paraffin is legal. But would you drink it if it gave you a buzz? Of course mephedrone should be classed as illegal.

But we cannot simply blame the Government for dragging their feet on this.
We cannot just keep picking up the pieces of teenagers whose lifestyles are all about getting out of their box on drugs or trollied drunk on a Saturday night.
I'm the last person to preach to young people on how to live their lives. So I will only say this. You have to take responsibility for the consequences of being reckless.
We've all been there. We've all done stupid things when we were growing up and have paid the price.
When you're growing up, you have to live with some regret for stupid things you may have done, choices you made that shaped your life. It's part of the deal.

But there's a self-destruct button that doesn't get you a way back, a second chance. And if you push that, you've made your choice...

from an unknown source, Scotland
 ]]> youthworkforum http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?11-Mephedrone Government has abandoned National Drug Strategy http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?10-Government-has-abandoned-National-Drug-Strategy Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:39:43 GMT Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/dubsbhoy/youthwork/citywide_masthead_logo_3.gif Brian Cowen’s cabinet reshuffle has proven that this...
Brian Cowen’s cabinet reshuffle has proven that this government has abandoned the National Drugs Strategy. Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign has challenged the Taoiseach to explain how the “National Drugs Strategy can now be implemented without a Minister responsible for the strategy.”


Speaking in Dublin this morning Citywide Co-ordinator Daithi Doolan said“The situation has gone from bad to worse, yesterday we had a part time junior minister today we have no minister at all. It beggars believe that the Taoiseach has abandoned the National Drug Strategy. At a time when communities are struggling against the ongoing drug crisis, criminal drug gangs and headshops this government now expects community drugs projects and Drugs Task Forces to deal with the causes and consequences of drug & alcohol addiction without any support from the government.



Most progress was made in tackling the drug crisis when the National Drugs Strategy was headed up by a full time Junior Minister with real partnership in place through the National Drug Strategy Team. This unique structure ensured real partnership was possible, allowing communities to have access not just to a Minister but ultimately to the Taoiseach
Doolan explained, “What we need now more than ever is partnership with communities, adequate resources and the political will to ensure the strategy is fully implemented. This cabinet reshuffle offers little hope. Citywide calls for the National Drugs Strategy, including alcohol, to be put back on the political agenda.”





In conclusion Doolan demanded that An Taoiseach, “Reinstate a Minister with sole responsibility for the National Drug Strategy.”


For Further information contact Daithi Doolan, Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign,
Telephone: 01 8365090/087-2077080


Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign
11 Cadogan Road
Dublin 3

Tel: +353 1 8365090
web: www.citywide.ie[/QUOTE] ]]> youthworkforum http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?10-Government-has-abandoned-National-Drug-Strategy Stop The Cuts http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?9-Stop-The-Cuts Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:15:09 GMT [VBTUBE="vid"]8n_ucT9leKc[/VBTUBE] ]]> youthworkforum http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?9-Stop-The-Cuts recruiting a Drugs Project Worker with specific remit for the DYP Drug Team’s Cocaine Response http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?7-recruiting-a-Drugs-Project-Worker-with-specific-remit-for-the-DYP-Drug-Team’s-Cocaine-Response Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:07:25 GMT Donnycarney Youth Project Ltd Donnycarney Youth Project Ltd consists of two internal sections: Drugs Project Youth Project We are... Donnycarney Youth Project Ltd
Donnycarney Youth Project Ltd consists of two internal sections:
Drugs Project Youth Project

We are currently recruiting a Drugs Project Worker with specific remit for the DYP Drug Team’s Cocaine Response in the Dublin North East Task Force area.

The successful applicant for this post will:
• Have a minimum of 3 years experience in community based drugs work
• An understanding of current drug policy issues
• Have excellent reporting and presentation skills
• Have experience of client assessment and development of Care Plans
• Demonstrate knowledge / experience of developing Outreach strategies
• Be able to work on own initiative and work as part of a team
• Have a relevant qualification and demonstrate an exceptional track record
• Have experience of & theoretical knowledge of working with Cocaine users

This position will involve evening and weekend work

Please send letter of application, current CV and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees that we may contact to:
Elfrieda Carroll, Senior Project Worker, Donnycarney Youth Project (Drug Team),
Le Cheile, Collins Avenue East, Donnycarney, Dublin 5

The closing date for receipt of applications is strictly no later than 1.00pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010. Interviews will take place during the week of 8th March 2010

Job Description and further information available on request from:
01 831 4985 or by email on: reception@dyp.ie

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. The Donnycarney Youth Project is funded through & supported by: NDP, HSE, FÁS, CDYSB ]]> Mark_Greene http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?7-recruiting-a-Drugs-Project-Worker-with-specific-remit-for-the-DYP-Drug-Team’s-Cocaine-Response A profile of Donnycarney http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?6-A-profile-of-Donnycarney Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:09:38 GMT *History* The ancient and historic Lands of Donnycarney originally stretched from the sea front at Fairview to the Donnycarney River (Sculogues... History
The ancient and historic Lands of Donnycarney originally stretched from the sea front at Fairview to the Donnycarney River (Sculogues Bridge the red bridge beyond Collins Avenue). It was bordered on the north by the town lands of Puckstown and Artane South and to the west by Clonturk. These lands are now divided by the Malahide Road (the ancient Slighe Cualann) and Collins Avenue (formerly Puckstown Lane), an ancient right of way to the North/Swords Road).

The oldest evidence of habitation in the area is to be found in the ground of Mount Temple near the railway line, where a cone shaped mound or tumulus exists. This burial mound is one of three in the general area, which testify to the presence here in the early Bronze Age of an ancient tribe that lived in the area. One theory suggests, that they were erected by the followers of Partholan, who perished of a plague and were buried around the plains of Dublin. The earliest recorded name for Donnycarney was Duncarnac, found in the Register of All Hallows (1172), which suggests a pre-Christian settlement in the area with fortifications protecting the Cualann, one of the ancient roadways from Tara.

Donnycarney or more precisely Domnach Cearnach, the name in Irish, is a derivative from several sources with attending variations and interpretations. Liam S. Gogan, keeper of the Art and Industrial division of the National Museum and one of the leading Celtic scholars in the early 1930s, gave one interesting interpretation of the name. He was of the opinion that a shrine to the Gaulish horned god Cernunnos (an ancient Celtic deity) was located in Donnycarney.

Landmarks around Donnycarney
The Casino:
In 1755, when Lord Charlemont returned from his continental travels, his stepfather Thomas Adderly presented him with a country villa, Marino House and the Lands of Donnycarney. The young fell in love with the place, which he called Marino. His famous Casino was completed in 1771 and cost £60,000. The design is Sicilian Doric and ranks very high among European examples of its kind and is the crowning glory of the area. The Casino was connected with Marino House by means of underground passages, through which food and drink was conveyed, when the earl entertained his guests. During the War of Independence, Michael Collins used the underground passages for rifle and small arms practice.


Mount Temple:
Now a comprehensive school and the Alma Mater of the U2 band, has a plaque dated 1862. Henry Colley come to live here in 1880, his grand daughter Elizabeth Bowen, the distinguished Irish writer, was a regular visitor during her childhood. The last resident was Picton Bradshaw. Hence in recent years, most persons in Donnycarney/Marino area knew the estate only as Bradshaws.


Donnycarney House: (The club house of the Clontarf Golf Club)
This was the second house of the name, and was built by Robert Carroll, the proprietor of the quarries, in 1781. Alex Thom the well-known publisher and printer came to reside here in 1853 and it is believed that Thom employed John Skipton Mulvaney, the renowned Victorian architect to remodel the house. The golf club founded in 1912, took up residence in 1921.

Dracula and Donnycarney:
It was often said that Dracula had a stake in Donnycarney. The creator of Dracula, Bram Stoker, although born in the Cresent in Fairview, spent most of his childhood in Artane Lodge, a villa residence off Collins Avenue/Collins Park. In 1888 Tim Harrington MP and three times Lord Mayor of Dublin and secretary to Parnell and the Land League came to reside in Artane Lodge.

Donnycarney Today
In the early 1920s, the pastoral bliss of the area finally succumbed to the burgeoning needs of the capital city, with the building of the first Corporation housing schemes at Marino in 1924 and Donnycarney in 1928. These houses were of course on land confiscated from the church almost five centuries earlier. The building programme that continued in the following decades led eventually to the formation of the parishes of Marino (1942) and Donnycarney (1952). The Parish of Donnycarney is now a community of some 3,500 houses and a population of around 16,000 persons a sizable town by any standards. From within the Parish an array of talent has flowed from artists, musicians, sportsmen, writers, historians, religious and politicians but most of all a generous and caring community of people.

Donnycarney (Irish: Domhnach Cearnach, meaning Carney's Church) is a Northside suburb in the city of Dublin, Ireland. It is bordered by Beaumont, Artane, Killester and Marino, and lies in the postal districts of Dublin 3, 9 and 5.

Donnycarney is a mostly residential area, located 5km from the centre of Dublin. It has a good range of amenities including restauants, a credit union, a community youth project in the newly built community centre, and a 3.25ha park, May Park (Donnycarney Park). The area is crossed by one of Dublin's "small rivers".
Donnycarney is most notable as the home of Parnell Park, a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium where the Dublin inter-county teams play many of their matches, including lower-profile matches which do not warrant the use of Croke Park, the national stadium. Donnycarney is also home to well known GAA clubs Craobh Chiarain and St Vincents, who have their base where the area borders Marino, as well as Parnells GAA.

Donnycarney was the boyhood home of Charles Haughey, a former Taoiseach, who subsequently moved to Raheny, then Grange Park in what was then Baldoyle, then Kinsealy. He represented the constituency including the area in the Dail from 1957 to 1992, and it was also the location of his funeral service.

Tommy Eglington, a former Irish footballer who played for Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers was originally from Donnycarney. As an international, Eglington also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.

The members of the musical group U2 met and formed the band whilst attending Mount Temple Comprehensive School, which lies on the border of Donnycarney.

Frank Kearns has a long and glorious history in the music biz. He went to school with U2 and was the guitar player with Cactus World News. He was founding member and guitarist and recently producer and solo artist was born and raised in Belton Park Gardens.


42 albums and six Grammys. The Chieftains' Paddy Maloney is not only a gifted musician and leader of the most famous traditional Irish music outfit in the world The Chieftains frontman and founder Paddy Moloney was born and raised in Donnycarney. ]]> Mark_Greene http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?6-A-profile-of-Donnycarney DYP Cocaine Response http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?5-DYP-Cocaine-Response Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:07:08 GMT DYP's Cocaine Response is a new initiative from the Donnycarney Youth Project Drug Team, working exclusively with people who are affected by Cocaine use. The DYP offers a free confidential evening & weekend service to anyone wishing to get support, advice or treatment.

DYP Response offers a range of interventions designed to maximise the benefits to the client in addressing issues arising out of Cocaine use. These interventions include:

o One to one client work sessions with trained staff members
o Holistic Therapies including Auricular Acupuncture proven to reduce stress & cravings associated with Cocaine use.
o One to one counselling sessions with professional counsellors trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
o Money advice & budgeting services
o Information & advisory sessions on a range of issues usually associated with Cocaine use
o Drop In services for information and guidance

Our Evening Services are open Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6pm and 8pm. .
If you are looking to refer someone in confidence to or would like to gain some more information about our services, we can be contacted by the following means.

Phone: 01 851 3342 ask for Mark, Elfrieda or Conor

www.dyp.ie ]]> Mark_Greene http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?5-DYP-Cocaine-Response Donnycarney Youth Project is now FETAC accredited http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?4-Donnycarney-Youth-Project-is-now-FETAC-accredited Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:03:46 GMT The Donnycarney Youth Project believes in providing opportunities for people to access training & accredited learning in a supportive, fun & friendly manner through group & individual work. Based on the adult education style of learning- we believe that empowering people in their learning empowers the community in general. The philosophy of empowering a community through it’s members is important to the project- that’s why when we have established ourselves as a centre we’ll be offering courses in areas such as cultural studies, computers, personal development, communications, literacy, cookery, health awareness & caring for children to our clients.

One of the main advantages of FETAC courses means that wherever your life takes you, you take a recognised standard of learning with you. You can build up skills beyond Junior & Leaving Certificate levels within courses that appeal to you & your skills. By gaining the certificates in the subjects you’re interested in, you gain the confidence to realise your goals. FETAC courses are recognisable standards of learning or training achieved through a recognised centre in the workplace or the community.

The Donnycarney Youth Project recognised that FETAC courses offer opportunities to build on learning and aid progression to third level. In order to comply with the standards set by the FETAC Awarding body the registration process was undertaken. A full list of the FETAC modules we will deliever will be published to this page soon.

If you would like more information on FETAC please CONTACT us. ]]> Mark_Greene http://www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/entry.php?4-Donnycarney-Youth-Project-is-now-FETAC-accredited