INITIATIVE TO HELP RECOVERING ADDICTS

A new initiative to help recovering north Dublin drug addicts obtain
employment has been commended by the Minister of State for Tourism, Sport
and Recreation, Mr Eoin Ryan.

The Labour Inclusion Programme will initially run as a two-year pilot
scheme catering for 20 recovering addicts. A range of bodies including
ICTU, IBEC, Northside Partnership, the Local Drugs Task Force, Citywide and
community and voluntary service providers will work together on the programme.

Mr Ryan said he had no hesitation in recommending the scheme to Government.
"The new programme could be described as the final stage of a process which
will see people move from treatment towards full reintegration into society."

He said he was extremely optimistic the programme would succeed. "It is
certainly my hope that following the pilot we will be able to replicate
this very necessary service in other parts of the city," Mr Ryan added.

The programme will target the areas of Darndale, Priorswood, Belcamp,
Edenmore and Kil barrack.

Pre-employment training will be given in personal development, interview
skills, teamwork skills and computers.

After employment is secured a key worker will offer support and counselling
to the person as required. Within the company an employee will be trained
as a mentor and a company awareness programme will encourage the
development of a supportive environment.

Mr Peter Foran, co-ordinator of the North East Local Drug Task Force, said
the programme would educate those in the companies as well as recovering
addicts.

Ms Marian Vickers of the Northside Partnership said the programme would be
a challenge. "We are acknowledging that there will be relapses but we are
confident that with the level of commitment of all of the groups we can
reach our objectives," she added.

Mr Brendan Butler, director of social policy in IBEC, said the programme
addressed a social issue by enabling a marginalised group to benefit from
the country's economic success, but he stressed it also addressed a hard
business issue.

The programme will seek participants who have participated in
community-based methadone programmes for over three months and in a basic
education programme.