Pubdate: 11 March 1999 Source: An Phoblacht/Republican News (Ireland) Copyright: 1999 Phoblacht/Republican News Contact: http://www.irlnet.com/aprn/current/news/index.htmlaprn. Author: Tara O'Liath RINGSEND AND DISTRICT RESPONSE TO DRUGS Friday March 5 saw the launch of the Ringsend & District Response to Drugs (RDRD) annual report and a special graduation presentation. Set up in January 1997, the group produced a work programme which became their submission for funding. Having received IEP119,000 from the South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force, the group then formed itself into a limited company. It now has offices and four people working full time. Their annual report charts their success over the last year and details events such as European Drug Awareness Week where they ensured the community as a whole was involved in events which took place, such as competitions and theatre. RDRD operate a family support service, outreach services, education and prevention and advice and support. As a result of this they have 22 addicts in contact with RDRD, are working with 22 families and have 5 clients who are completely drug free. It was these five clients who were awarded special plaques to honour their achievement on March 5 and in his presentation speech Minister Chris Flood described the five as “the single most important element of the night” and he paid tribute to outreach workers from the project Teresa Weafer and Paul Meleady. The evening was sponsored by Dublin Port as a mark of their support and commitment to the work of RDRD. Also present at the event were members of the Drugs Task Force, who over the last three years have worked with voluntary and statutory agencies to address the problem of drug abuse in Dublin. The Task Force commended the work of Ringsend & District Response to Drugs and stressed that maintainance and harm reduction cuts off the potential addicts have. The recovery and rehabilitation aspect achieves so much more. It was this aspect of the RDRD's work that local Sinn Fein representative Daithi Doolan praised saying, “this is what can be achieved when state bodies work with communities. “Communities need to stick together and fight,” Doolan said before adding, “this whole night is a statement of our commitment to a drug free area, it's reaping the benefits of three and a half years of hard work. Those who graduated have made it all worthwhile.” Ringsend & District Response to Drugs hope to make this special graduation an annual event. - --- MAP posted-by: Rich O'Grady