Latest news with #Coolmine
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
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.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Surge in women seeking addiction support in Dublin, says rehab service
The organisation, which provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation services across the capital, revealed that female presentations increased by 37pc in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. A total of 305 women accessed its services between January and March, up from 223 in 2024. Coolmine said the rise reflects growing trust in its trauma-informed, family-focused services, particularly among vulnerable groups such as mothers and members of the Traveller community. Cocaine remains the most commonly reported substance among those seeking treatment in Dublin, accounting for 35pc of all cases. Alcohol followed at 29pc, with benzodiazepines noted as the most prevalent secondary drug, appearing in nearly a quarter of presentations. All of Coolmine's community and residential services in Dublin operated at full capacity during the first quarter of the year, with a total of 756 people engaging in support programmes. Speaking about the figures, Anita Harris, Deputy Head of Services at Coolmine, said: 'We're seeing more women seeking help, fewer missed appointments, and growing trust in our trauma-informed, family-based services. 'These figures show real progress, not just in engagement but in outcomes. We're proud of the trust our community places in us. "Recovery is an ongoing process, and today's figures highlight the vital services Coolmine provides in Dublin. 'I encourage anyone facing addiction to reach out – support is available, and it's never too late to turn things around. 'Our clients are rebuilding relationships, improving their health, and finding positive pathways in work, training and education,' she added. The charity also highlighted the success of its targeted supports for parents and families. In the first three months of this year, 12 children stayed in residential care with their mothers through the Mother & Child Programme, while 100 families received tailored support via the Parents Under Pressure initiative. Additionally, 48 members of the Traveller community were supported in accessing addiction services during the same period.
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Girls' participation in sport falls off a cliff in their teens. The skorts row shows why
The photos from last week's Leinster Championship camogie semi-final between Dublin and Kilkenny are both striking and unremarkable. Both teams lining out together, helmets on, gumshields in, hurls in hand, ready to go. Captains Aisling Maher of Dublin and Katie Power of Kilkenny go in for the coin toss. The issue with the photos is, of course, that the players are wearing shorts and not the mandatory skorts . They may be opposing teams, but on this issue, they're at one – in contrast with the delegates at the Camogie Association Congress in 2024 which rejected separate motions to replace the skort (64 per cent against), or to supplement the skort with an option for shorts (55 per cent against). In a recent GPA Report , 83 per cent of intercounty players expressed a preference for shorts over skorts. This prompted Dublin and Kilkenny to get in touch before last weekend's semi-final. They had had enough. They agreed that they would compete against each other but were united on one front: anyone who wished to should wear shorts. Anyone who wanted to wear a skort could. The fact that no one did is a clear indication of how players feel about the skort. It is hard to imagine what transpired next. The players had put in a lot to reach the semi-final, travelling to training, matches and ultimately to St Peregrine's GAA Club in Coolmine, Co Dublin, for the game. They were hydrated, fed, rested, and raring to go. Surely, they must have thought, if we all wear shorts they'll let us play? But no. Referee Ray Kelly told them that either they change or the game would be forfeited . His job is to follow the rules, and he, rightfully, isn't the main subject of anyone's ire. READ MORE The captains relayed the message to their team-mates. The best case scenario was being allowed to wear shorts, the worst was cancelling the match, and so they settled for the middle ground, playing as they have always done, in the skorts. The game went on and Kilkenny emerged victorious, but the point had been made: players were not happy. As is generally the case when a 'women in sports' issue arises, the incident receives far more attention than the game itself. This is fast becoming camogie's version of Irish women's football team in 2017, who felt they had to threaten to strike until their issues with the FAI were resolved . Different facts, same question: is this what it takes for players to be heard from their governing body? A body that purports to represent their interests but doesn't give them a seat at the decision-making table. The Camogie Association had been keeping schtum, holding tight and hoping the storm would pass over and public attention would drift elsewhere. That didn't happen. On Thursday, it was announced that a Special Congress had been scheduled for May 22nd . Delegates will once again be asked to vote on the issue, which is a sharp U-turn from their 'ongoing commitment to reviewing the skorts to be more comfortable' but still a long way from simply amending the rule on shorts – especially considering the same delegates are being asked to vote again just over a year on. The players can only hope and campaign, both publicly and privately, that the delegates will choose to vote differently this time. [ Down with this skort of thing: Why are we talking about the long-rumbling issue all over again? Opens in new window ] The landscape is different now from how it was in April 2024. There is more attention on the issue and the players' voices are coming through loud and clear. Even if the vote remains the same, it's difficult to see the skort situation continuing. Dublin Camogie has instructed its referees to allow games to continue even if players wear shorts . This weekend, the baton is due to be passed from Dublin and Kilkenny to Cork and Waterford, who are letting it be known that they are considering allowing the Munster Championship Camogie semi-final to be forfeited . This is a nuclear option for two teams who are battling to get to a final. However that plays out, the opportunity for the association to be seen as progressive and willing to listen is long gone. Whatever happens now, it will be seen as succumbing to public pressure rather than valuing their own players' voices. [ Skorts v shorts: 'They're awkward, and if it's your time of the month it's just not comfortable' Opens in new window ] Some people seem to be deliberately missing the point. There are voices complaining that the Dublin and Kilkenny players didn't forfeit the match. Or that their daughter likes wearing a skort. Or that the players should have waited until 2027 when the Congress meets again. Or pointing out that men wear three-piece suits in snooker. But there's no rational reason for forcing the players into skorts. And there seems to be no right way for the players to ask for the option of shorts. This shouldn't be a 'women's issue', but it has morphed into one: the skort is, we're told, a marker of femininity, a garment originally valued for its 'modesty' (despite players' protests that they are anything but). Research repeatedly and consistently reports that girls' participation in sport drops off a cliff when they reach their teens. Forcing compliance with a skort – too short, too exposing, not fit for purpose – seems to drive girls toward that cliff, giving them more of an impetus to be concerned about periods, body image and feeling uncomfortable. It is also a distraction from bigger dilemmas. Integration of the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie Association is scheduled for 2027. Camogie, and women's sport in general, has bigger fish to fry. When shorts do eventually become officially part of the game – hopefully within weeks – the difference to anyone but the players themselves will be barely perceptible. It won't be a victory for equality or for women's sports, just for common sense. Louise Lawless is a freelance journalist
