Crack Cocaine A Local Perspective - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Crack Cocaine

A Local Perspective

TDATF

Shane Hamilton

Coordinator

JADD

Background

JADD and CARP have been funded through the

Tallaght

Drug & Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) since 2018 to provide supports to individuals reporting crack cocaine as a problematic

behaviour

. The following is a brief review of JADD’s and CARP’s crack cocaine response and prevalence data in Q1 2021.

JADD’s Strategic Goals 2021

Strategic Theme: Low Threshold

To provide people who use drugs with information about the risks associated with drug use and means to minimize such risks.

Develop gender specific interventions based on the needs of polydrug users.

Increased effective partnerships with relevant agencies, including housing, domestic violence, mental health services, etc.

To continuously develop new and effective interventions to support service users using crack cocaine.

To continue to target the most vulnerable and high-risk service users for early interventions.

European & National Prevalence Data

The EMCDDA (2018) reported Ireland in the top four countries across Europe for cocaine use among young adults. They also noted that availability and purity of cocaine was increasing.

NDTRS data, complied by the Health Research Board, (2020) found that cocaine was the second most reported drug used in 2019, an increase on previous years.

Regarding crack cocaine specifically, it was reported that crack cocaine accounted for 14.3% of all cases treated, compared to 11.3% in 2018 (HRB, 2020).

In relation to crack cocaine users in Ireland, there is a higher lifetime prevalence rate (35.6%) for high-risk populations, such as sex workers, the homeless, and prisoners (Bates, 2017).

Prevalence Data @ JADD & Client Contacts Q1: 299 individuals presented to JADD’s harm reduction service in relation to their crack cocaine use.

Average use (crack cocaine rocks)

C

rack cocaine pipes a

dministered From CARP from June 2018 to April 2021

Demographic Information

Male: 182 Female: 117

Age Profile:

18-25=4

25-30=59

30-40=126

40-50=67

50+=43

Complex Needs

High Priority Areas

‘Cottage Industry’

Killinarden area has identified anywhere between 15 and 25+ houses in that immediate area.

Russell Square (6 crack houses)

Mac

Uilliam

(5 crack houses)

Kiltalown

(3 crack houses)

Ardmore (2 crack houses)

Sundale (2 crack houses)

Glenshane

(3 crack house)

Cloonmore

(4 crack houses)

Sringfield (3 crack houses) Tallaght Cross (2 crack houses) Swiftbrook (1 crack houses)Bawnlea (2 crack houses)

Types of Crack Houses

Crack Cocaine & Methadone Treatment

Of the 60 individuals in receipt of methadone treatment, 41 (68%) are accessing crack cocaine supports.

CARP Female’s Crack support programme

This programme incorporates evidenced based approaches and non-judgemental engagement to support women where they are at in their life

.This programme includes:

Facilitated peer support groupDrug education and prevention/harm reduction

Access to professional drug workers/key working/addiction counselling/family therapy

Access to hairdressing, nails and make up sessionsHolistic sessions

Support with referral to any services that are identified that will help the individuals

Primary health care

Lunch

Access to shower

Outreach engagement and one-to-one support

Engaged through over the phone support.

Interventions Delivered

Crack Pipes: 767

Group

Programme

: 9 women

Case management support: 16.

Referrals: 36 (methadone, residential treatment, and housing/homeless services)

Crack Cocaine Service User Feedback

Behaviours

: Group reported that the sharing of crack pipes, including home-made pipes, is common among peer group.

Housing: Considerable number of tenancies under review by housing bodies. JADD, with the support of the Niamh, are currently working with SDCC around these issues.

CARP’s Intensive work with Family support service WASP and 14 of the 17 Families engaged report crack cocaine use in the family.

Transactional sex: Group reported that women are engaging in sexual

behaviours

in return for crack cocaine.

Health: Mental health and physical health are seriously affected.

Summary

This brings me to the end of my presentation. In summary, I spoke about the following:

Increased prevalence in both JADD & CARP

Service user profiles & crack cocaine use

Increased demand on services

Impact on service users

Impact on communities

Considerations for TDATF

Prevalence data:

Significant increase in crack cocaine cases presenting to JADD & CARP. Placing additional & considerable demand on service provision.

*Implications: Increased risk for JADD to manage challenging

behaviours

, etc. JADD recently conducted a risk assessment, with an increase in risk rating.

High risk groups

: Bates (2017) reported very high rates of injecting cocaine and sharing of injecting equipment. The majority of JADD’s clients would meet Bates's criteria as high risk.

*Implications: Substantial public health risks for the

Tallaght

area.

Considerations for TDATF

Crack Cocaine Contacts:

Significant proportion of crack cocaine users presenting to services X1 week/X1 month, for example.

*Implications:

Possibly using unsafe equipment (homemade pipes), higher risk of overdose, etc.

*Implications:

Deficit in knowledge & data regarding the true nature & extent of the issue in

Tallaght

, therefore, difficulties implementing an evidenced based response.

Considerations for the TDATF

Displacing crack cocaine users

: The high number of ‘crack houses’ in the community is very concerning, as discussed, however, we should also be cognizant of the possible risks that will present as housing bodies and the Gardai respond to this issue. It is possible that we could see an increase in public use, discarding of equipment, etc., which may lead to public opposition to local addiction services.