Merchants Quay – which offers a range of homeless and drugs services across Ireland – has won a tender to provide drug treatment services in Portlaoise and is now looking for a premises from which to operate a drop-in centre in the town.
A Merchants Quay spokesperson confirmed that they are currently looking for a suitable premises in Portlaoise.
It is understood that services are currently being provided in Portlaoise and a suitable premises is now required.
Members of Portlaoise Municipal Authority were recently briefed about the planned support services in Portlaoise.
“We did have a meeting recently where we touched base with local stakeholders,” the spokesperson confirmed.
The drop-in centre will provide a range of after-care services including family support and a degree of rehabilitation.
The service will be provided for those aged over 18, and will follow on from services provided by other agencies for the under 18 age group.
A drug and alcohol worker will provide services in each of the four counties in the midlands region on an outreach basis.
These four counties are covered by the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF), which is funded by the HSE.
This service will be funded using existing MRDATF and HSE CADS (Community Alcohol and Drug Services) resources.
Merchants Quay also provides an office at Athlone, from which it operates services.
Merchants Quay Ireland provides a local free and confidential service which aims to reduce the level of individual and community harm as a result of drug and /or alcohol use and provide pathways into treatment.
The Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force has been given a key role by the Government in responding to the drug problem. Its composition reflects the need to ensure locally-based responses that compliment existing or planned drug programmes and services in the midland region.
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