The Drugs Rehabilitation Projects (DRPs), formerly known as Special Community Employment Drugs Projects, have been a core element of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) since the late 1990s, delivered by FAS and now by the Dept. of Social Protection (DSP). The DRPs have provided the main vehicle for the delivery of drugs rehabilitation services since rehabilitation was recognised as a distinct pillar of the NDS in 2005. While mainstream Community Employment operates as part of the state’s labour market strategy, by providing community-based work experience and training to long-term unemployed people, the setting up and development of DRPs as part of the NDS has allowed the CE model to be used to deliver a rehabilitation programme for recovering drug users that does not have a specific labour market focus.

This report looks at the impact of recent budgetary and policy changes on the work of drugs rehabilitation projects and makes recommendations on the way forward.