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News Archive 1998
A Comic Touch
16th November 1998
PRESS RELEASE
To coincide with European Drugs Prevention Week we have great pleasure in announcing the official launch by the Merchant's Quay Project of a comic featuring "Adam and Eva" on Friday, November 20th at 12.00 p.m.
The comic is the product of several months work by the artist, Tommy Larkin , in collaboration with service users of the Merchant's Quay Project who are members of the Art Group.
Adam and Eva is a story of modern urban life as seen through the eyes of a young couple who get caught up in the drugs scene.It is a story of highs and lows. Most of all it is a story with consequences, told in the language of the street.
When young people first start using drugs they tend to think only of the highs. Adam and Eva speaks to its readers about the lows and about the consequences that can result when drugs become more important than love.
The comic will be launched at noon on Friday, November 20th in The Arts Room of the Merchant's Quay Project , 4 Merchant's Quay, Dublin 8 by the Poet, Pat Ingoldsby. 
Hustling for Health Conference
15th June 1998
PRESS RELEASE
Contact : Mary O' Shea, Asst. Director
The Merchant's Quay Project is one of the largest voluntary agencies working with drug users in Ireland. The project provides services ranging from Crisis intervention and health promotion with street drug users, to stabilisation programmes and drug free residential treatment.
A Survey of first time attendees at the Merchant's Quay Project in 1998 indicated that a large proportion of women (29%) were using the project. The survey found that
- Half were under 19.
- 63% had shared injecting equipment.
- 79% were not in touch with any services.
These findings pointed to a clear need to address the needs of women drug users and in particular women engaged in prostitution, many of whom worked in the Benburb Street area. With the support of the Eastern Health Board a dedicated service for women drug users engaged in prostitution was set up in August 1998. The confidential services provided include:
- One to one Counselling
- Referral to emergency accommodation services
- Health Promotion including information on H.I.V., Hep C, Safer injecting and safer sex practices
- Needle exchange facility
- Drop in facility
- Outreach work (Provided by E.H.B.)
- Access to Mobile Methadone Bus (Commenced April '99)
In the first ten months of operation
- A total of 58 women engaged in prostitution received support from the Women's Service
- Their average age was between 20 and 25
- All were active drug users
- 46 out of the 58 women were assisted with problems related to homelessness, in hostels, B&B or sleeping on the streets
- 4 availed of in-patient detoxification
- 2 have availed of Merchant's Quay Residential Programme
- 6 Have accessed the Mobile Bus since April '98
This Project has a clear impact on reducing risk factors for HIV and other infections amongst women engaged in prostitution and their clients.
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