SAILING PROGRAMME TO HELP ADDICTS STEER CLEAR OF DRUGS

RECOVERING drug users will learn to sail under a novel rehab
programme costing Euro40,632.

The government allocation is part of an overall campaign to target
drugs use in Dublin City which will see Euro547,217 pumped into some
of the capital's most deprived areas.

The minister with responsibility for the Government's National Drugs
Strategy, Eoin Ryan, yesterday announced that 13 projects in the South
Inner City Drugs Task Force Plan would be targeted.

The Nercy Family Centre, Whitefriar Street Community Centre and the
CAP Project operating in the Oliver Bond/Bridgefoot Street area will
benefit from the funding.

At the Whitefriar Street Community Centre, a support worker in the
Mercy Centre will work with young mothers and children affected by
drug use to assist them with integrating into family, community,
education and employment opportunities. About 35 women between the
ages of 16 and 25 will be supported.

A total of Euro40,632 has been allocated to provide a rehab sailing
programme. The Rinn Voyager, a 42ft ketch, will be used for an 18-week
training course for recovering addicts to enhance their chances to
maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

The Ringsend Action project is also set to receive funding and a
substance misuse community development worker will be employed.

Other projects in the south inner city plan include:

* Fountain Resource Group - a co-ordinator for Basis Street Centre
will be employed and a counselling support service for families of
drug users wil be put in place;

* Whitefriar Street Aikido Club - a conflict resolution programme is
to be developed to help young people to resist peer pressure
associated with drug use;

* Connolly Information Centre - a support for young, male, stabilised
drug users will be developed;

* Ruhama - an extra outreach worker will be employed to work with
women involved in prostitution, many of whom are also drug users.