Coolmine's intensive PUP project for drug-using parents 'should go national'
An intensive programme showing improvements in the functioning of drug-using parents towards their families should be rolled out across all the health regions, according to a new report.
Coolmine, one of the country's largest drug treatment charities, carried out an evaluation of its Parents Under Pressure programme in the HSE Dublin and North East areas.
It said that while they had a target of working with 75 families, because of demand and the flexibility of the programme, they ended up with 96 parents between January 2024 and March 2025.
The Coolmine report said HSE figures underlined the scale of the issue — with a fifth of people receiving treatment for alcohol living with children under the age of 17 and a further fifth being parents but where the children were not living with them (total of 42%).
Among people in treatment in relation to drug use, 16% were living with their children. A quarter had children who were living with someone else.
Coolmine chief executive Pauline McKeown at the recent launch of the landmark evaluation of the Parents Under Pressure (PUP) programme. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan
Coolmine provides treatment services in Dublin, Cork, Kerry, and Limerick.
The Parents Under Pressure (PUP) programme targets 'high risk families', focusing on stabilising and improving the regulation of the parents' emotions and behaviours and promoting their child's development.
The report said the programme has shown 'particular effectiveness' in improving the functioning of substance-using parents.
A key part of the programme is that it involved providing the service in the homes of the parents as well in community services, resource centres, in groups, and online.
Therapists were part of the programme while practical support was provided in areas such as housing and education.
Data collected from the 96 parents revealed:
78 (81%) were mothers and 18 (19%) were fathers;
18% of mothers said they were in a relationship, compared to 50% of fathers;
78% of mothers were unemployed (53% of fathers);
50% of mothers were diagnosed with a mental health condition (28% of fathers);
21% of mothers had a diagnosed intellectual disability, compared to 60% of fathers (the report cited small sample of fathers);
15% of mothers had a diagnosis of PTSD (there is no figure for fathers).
In relation to drugs, it found that mothers reported a higher use of cannabis (21% compared to 8% among fathers) and crack cocaine (10% v 0%).
Almost a quarter of fathers said they used heroin (23% v 15%).
Nearly one in six mothers said they were affected by another person's substance use, compared to 5% of fathers.
High level of engagement
The internal evaluation cited a 'significant drop in reported distress' of parents during the course.
The evaluation said there was 'high engagement and programme completion' among the parents, with 44% completing, 15% still engaged with the service, and a further 8% partly completing and progressing to additional supports — indicating 'positive retention' of 67%.
The evaluation recommended a shift in prevention and treatment to recognising the role of family and that parental support should be provided.
It further recommended the 'expansion of PUP in the community' across all healthcare areas and for 'targeted funding' be allocated to ensure this.
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