The CARE (Community Alcohol Response & Engagement) alcohol treatment pathways pilot project was developed to provide alcohol treatment options in the community, involving a range of already available local services working with a dedicated team of Clinical Nurse Specialists. In the short period in which the pilot ran 142 referrals were made, mainly by community based GPs.
The pilot project, funded by the HSE, was run in the three Drugs and Alcohol Task Force areas of Ballymun, Finglas and North Dublin between June 2014-June 2015. It involved community GPs, HSE Addiction Services, community based drug and alcohol services and local pharmacies working in close collaboration with the CARE team. The Evaluation Report undertaken by Quality Matters on the first 12 months of the project was launched by Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin on October 27th.