In 2001 the Clondalkin Drugs Task Force prepared and oversaw the implementation of an updated Area Action Plan. One of the gaps highlighted in the Plan was the limited capacity of existing services to respond to the primary health care needs of drug users in the locality. In response, the Task Force commissioned the Research Department of Merchants Quay Ireland to carry out a research study to address this issue.

Research Objectives
The overall aim of this research was to identify an appropriate model that would facilitate the provision of a primary health care service to problematic drug users in the Clondalkin area. The objectives of the research study were:
• to obtain a profile of the primary health care needs of problematic drug users in the Clondalkin area;
• to document the nature and extent of existing primary health care services and identify gaps in both statutory and non-mainstream services;
• to investigate the issues and barriers for the target group in accessing mainstream services;
• to identify a range of models of good practice at local, national and international level; and
• to identify an appropriate operational model to respond to the primary health care needs of drug users in Clondalkin.