Kildare Outreach Services
Outreach Work was
first developed in the USA as a response to the problems of street gangs
in the late 1950's.
It was started in
Ireland in the 1970's by a staff member of the Anna Liffey Drugs Project
to befriend drug users on O' Connell Street. The Eastern Health Board
(E.R.H.A) commenced outreach in 1988 in the HIV / AIDS Service operating
from Baggot Street Clinic which was known then as the AIDS Resource
Centre.
Later as the Drug
epidemic spread and the problems with drug users not availing of services
became apparent, it was decided to target this group.
The role of the
Outreach is:
- to promote awareness
of HIV / AIDS, Drugs and Sexual Health through education and information.
- to support local
communities and individuals who are not currently in contact with
services.
- to advocate on
behalf of identified target groups.
- to link people
into treatment centres for Heroin detoxification and maintenance.
- to provide a
wide variety of detoxification options as alternatives to methadone
Visit The Outreach
Website for more detailed information