According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, there are between 1.2 and 1.5 million opiate dependent individuals in the European Union (EMCDDA, 2010) with an estimated 18,136 and 23,576 opiate users resident in Ireland (Kelly et al., 2009). Approximately 11,807 opiate users in Ireland are known to services and are predominantly aged between 25 and 34 years, male, early school leavers, unemployed (Kelly et al., 2009; Carew et al., 2009). In terms of treatment data, records show an increase in both prevalence and incidence rates among 15 to 64 year olds, with 11,538 cases treated in 2007 (Carew et al.2009). One quarter of treatment cases in 2007 had stabilised prior to treatment entry and were on methadone maintenance (Long and Lyons, 2009). However, the chronic relapsing nature of opiate dependency remains evident with more than half of these cases needing more than one treatment intervention (Carew et al., 2009).

The researchers utilised a mixed method approach using focus groups with the Client forum representatives of the Special Community Employment schemes, and a series of in- depth interviews with individuals attending the Special Community Employment schemes in the Dublin North East Drug Task Force area.