Economic Improvements 'Not Filtered Down To Most In Need' - MQI

Homeless and drugs charity, Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), has presented it's Annual Review 2014 to President Michael D Higgins.

MQI said that their yearly review highlights the continued growth of homelessness and drug use and the increasing levels of hardship and vulnerability experienced by the many men and women caught in drugs and homelessness today.

They said that while there is much talk of the improving economic situation, these improvements haven't filtered down to those most in need.

Speaking at the launch, Tony Geoghegan, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland said: "Issues of drugs and homelessness can be addressed. This is demonstrated to us again and again by the many service users who, when receiving the support they need, can and do move on successfully with their lives."

Among the issues raised in the Review are the following:

• MQI homeless food service provided approx. 80,000 meals in 2014. Our primary healthcare service for homeless people provided 5329 healthcare interventions which is a 19% increase on 2013. Over 1,000 people accessed our GP services, a 28% increase over 2013. These statistics reflect the harsh reality of homelessness and drug use and life on the streets.

• MQI's Needle exchange service in Dublin recorded over 24,000 needle exchange interventions an increase of 6% from 2013.  In total over 3,179 individuals accessed our needle exchange programme during 2014, of which 527 were new service users.

• MQI's Prison based Addiction Counselling Service treated 2,888 individuals in one to one and group work sessions, an increase of 18% on 2013.

• Across MQI's residential facilities there are an increased number of people from outside Dublin accessing services.

• St Francis Farm Residential Detox and Rehab units in Carlow served clients from across 19 counties.

• Our Dublin based Residential Rehab at High Park, while primarily serving clients from the Dublin region also served clients from across 10 counties.

• This highlights the real need for detox and rehab facilities across Ireland

"We are currently facing unprecedented levels of homelessness that are further exacerbated by, and contributing to, problem drug use. As a matter of urgency I call on the government to hold fast to their commitments to a just society and as a matter of urgency to put in place the necessary resources to make a real difference in the lives of people caught in the misery of drugs and homelessness," Mr Geoghegan added.

The full review can be read here.

(MH/CD)