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Martin, 24
I'm Martin, I'm 24 and from Dublin south inner city. I began using drugs when I was 17, and first smoked heroin when I was 19. I was homeless for 3 years after a row with my family over my drug use. I still see my family regularly but can't live at home while using. I've just been released from prison...I was there for 4 months.
I first came to Merchants Quay to use the needle exchange. After a few visits, I started to link in with a worker around my drug use and it was there I got information and advice about using drugs in a safer way. I also met the nurse as my health was suffering cos of the drugs and being homeless.
I now go to the needle exchange a lot and get on well with the workers. I sometimes get my dinner there too. One time I was talking about problems sleeping rough and a worker helped me to get a bed in a hostel. Since then I've been thinking about doing a detox, and they've organized for me to get an assessment.
It's a bit of a waiting game but when I think back, I've come along way...
Sam, 27
I'm Sam and I'm 27. When I first came to Merchants Quay I was living in a hostel. I'd been using heroin for ten years, and also benzos, hash and alcohol and it caused me many problems. I'd fallen out with my family and my girlfriend and kids, and I was up in court a few times for outstanding warrants. I had tried to stop the drugs a few times, but it was hard when I was living in the hostel.
It was Trinity Court that referred me onto Merchants Quay, where I started on Methadone. I had an assessment and then went onto the morning programme. They helped me make a care plan and over the next three months I worked on my drug use.
Then, cos I was a bit more stable, the settlement workers in Merchants Quay helped me find a flat and helped me with the trouble in the courts aswell.
Now, I am rebuilding my life, and I'm seeing my kids again and getting on better with the rest of my family.
John, 22
I suppose I started just because all my mates were at it. We'd meet up evenings and head down to the park. I was trying all sorts, glue, hash, trips, anything that came by. I would have been about sixteen when my brother took me to a rave with his mates. I had my first bit of coke that night.
I went on like that for a while, going out raving at the weekend, an E, a bit of coke. I was offered heroin but I'd been warned about that stuff, so I wouldn't touch it. I thought I knew it all. Sure I had a few problems at home, but that was because they just didn't understand me.
When I first tried crack, I didn't know what it was. It wasn't long before I was using it all the time though. I kept missing work and then I lost my job. I still needed money though, so I started robbing.
It didn't take long for the law to catch up with me. I ended up in court and the judge told me to get some treatment or go to jail. The worst time for me was while I was on remand. I couldn't get anything and started flipping out. It was horrible.
I suppose that's what made me choose treatment really. I didn't see much difference between prison and treatment at the time. The way I saw it, either way I would be trapped. I suppose treatment did seem like a bit of a softer option. However, now that I'm here, I'm learning stuff about myself and why I got caught up in the whole scene. Its not easy but I'm sticking at it.
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