'Addiction hits and takes over completely': Coolmine launches new strategy in Limerick centre

NATIONAL drug and alcohol treatment charity, Coolmine has launched its four-year strategy as urgent demand grows for its services.

So far in 2023, the charity has recorded a 35% rise in clients. In recent years, Coolmine has noted a significant increase in demand for its services as trends show a significant increase in problem drug use, particularly with cocaine.

The strategy will support the charity’s fundraising efforts to continue its work supporting clients on their journey to recovery.

Against the backdrop of a deepening drugs crisis and with the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs due to report its recommendations shortly, Coolmine is urging all stakeholders to act quickly and urgently to roll out robust health-based treatment programmes to prevent the drugs crisis worsening. 

Speaking at the launch of Coolmine’s strategy at the mother and child residential centre in Limerick, Pauline McKeown, CEO of Coolmine said now is the opportunity to turn the dial and understand how best to respond.

‘We’re at a potential turning point in terms of how we as a country tackle problem drug use and how we support individuals on a journey to overcoming addiction in a sustainable way. We are seeing record numbers of clients referred to Coolmine across both our mens and womens residential programmes, and we’re now reconfiguring our strategy to ensure we can continue to support as many people as possible," she said. 

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"All Coolmine services are working at full capacity across the country. We have 52 men and 24 women assessed and ready today for admission to our residential services. We do not have capacity to meet this demand currently," she added. "Society as a whole must respond to this and the Citizens Assembly will hopefully inform that response so that anyone who finds themselves battling addiction will have the necessary resources and service available to overcome it.’

Responsive Sustainable Recovery 2023-2026, which will be implemented over a four-year period, seeks to expand the service range and availability for those battling addiction as record numbers of people with problem cocaine and crack cocaine use are recorded in 2023.  The plan highlights the strong increase in demand for the charity's residential services, while also showing how the organisation plans to increase capacity by 20% by the end of 2026. 

Mr Alan Connolly, Coolmine Chairman said: "Our new strategy, Responsive Sustainable Recovery, is designed to ensure that the vital services Coolmine TC provides are adapted to meet the needs of clients over the coming 4 years. We hope to see the launch of the Responsive Sustainable Recovery plan as a progressive step in Coolmine’s strategy to assist those battling addiction and one which helps to deal with the related issues of substance abuse, homelessness and social deprivation."

Coolmine has been operating for 50 years to eliminate the stigma and bias that those battling addiction face, through a health-focused programme. For further information on the work Coolmine is doing to support clients across Ireland, click here.