In partnership with the UCD School of Applied Social Science Community Partnership Drugs Programme, BYAP and partner agencies engaged in an evaluative research process of the Boxing Clever Programme in 2013/2014.  The resulting report and the findings of this research project was launched on 6th February 2015.

The Boxing Clever programme is a twenty week integrated educational, substance use recovery and fitness programme that aims to support participants to develop more resilient identities, while encouraging educational achievement, physical wellness and reduction in harmful or risky behaviours.

To view report click here

On March 12th 2014 the Treatment and Rehabilitation Sub-Committee of the Ballymun Drugs and Alcohol Task Force hosted an event to highlight the work of the Ballymun Community Detox Initiative.  The Ballymun Community Detox Initiative commenced in July 2012, this initiative supports service users to reduce or stop their use of methadone or benzodiazepines through a structured non residential process involving key workers and prescribing doctors.

Click here for more information

On 24 June 2013 the Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP) hosted a seminar on responding to addiction in a time of recession.  The purpose of the seminar was to provide an opportunity to step back and think about the experience of the impact of funding cutbacks, and the implications for this particular sector.  Róisín Shortall, T.D., described the seminar as providing a ‘critical space’ to reflect on what amounts to a slow dismantling of the safety net that has been created within local communities, leading to the re-marginalisation of particular areas.  The seminar was attended by over 80 representatives of community and voluntary agencies, funders, local people and political representatives.  There were two speakers – Brian Harvey, an independent social research consultant, and Dr Mary Ellen McCann, lecturer in UCD’s School of Applied Social Science and former director of Ballymun Youth Action Project.

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This gathering of Community and Voluntary Agencies, Funders, Local People, and Political Representatives, sought to explore the experience of the impact of funding cutbacks, and the implications for this particular sector. Over 80 participants took part representing a wide range of organisations and local communities.

Read more…