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News Archive 2000
Work is Not Enough
3rd November 2001
PRESS RELEASE
"Labour Inclusion Is Not A Sufficient Answer to Social Exclusion", says Geoghegan
The Merchant's Quay Project has today (Friday November 3rd ) launched two new reports focussing on efforts to help former drug users reintegrate into mainstream society. The Annual Report showed that the 2 year long European funded Integra programme was successful in getting people back to work, but that efforts were often hampered by lack of housing or other supports.
The second publication "Mapping a Route from Exclusion to Integration" highlights the good practice developed through the programme and serves as a resource for other agencies getting involved in similar projects. Both documents were launched by Mr. Eoin Ryan T.D. Minister of State with Responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy.
Mr Tony Geoghegan, Director of the Merchant's Quay Project speaking about the programme said "This programme has been very successful in demonstrating that former drug users can make a significant contribution to business and industry. Today's drug users are tomorrows taxpayers. I wish to thank all those employers who participated in this programme, and those who have supported the Project by donating to our current corporate appeal. This programme showed that partnership between Voluntary organisations and the Business sector can be very fruitful for both parties. The programme also showed that work is not enough. Many people who participated in the programme were able to access work but unable to access housing. Some ended up on the streets or in emergency hostels. Sadly a few returned to drug use. This demonstrates that, to use the British phrase -drug use is a joined up problem that needs a joined up solutions. New integration projects need to take a holistic view of client needs and develop partnerships with business and industry, with statutory and voluntary housing providers and with the health services to ensure that our efforts are successful. These partnerships can make all the difference between success and failure and point the way forward to a point where we can put the drugs crisis behind us". He wnt on to thank the South Western Area Health Board for providing the funding to mainstream the Merchant's Quay Project Reintegration Programme.
More than seventy professional working in the drugs area participated in the Seminar examining good practice in Reintegration work which followed the launch.
The Franciscan Community founded the Merchant's Quay Project in 1989 as a response to the growing issues of Drugs/HIV in Dublin. The Project now provides a range of services for individuals, families and local communities affected by problem drug users. 
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