This document presents a five-year HSE South West/ FSS AA Iardheiscirt (referred to as HSE South West in this document) THU Regional Implementation Plan for the National Traveller Health Action Plan (NTHAP). The NTHAP11 is referenced throughout this document. Further detail on Strategic Priority Actions is described in the accompanying template. The Implementation Plan responds to both strategic actions and goals laid out in the NTHAP as well as local priorities identified through consultations with Traveller organisations in the south west and HSE South West regions.

5.2 Drug and Alcohol Services Drug and Alcohol problematic use and addiction issues were identified as having a significant impact on the Traveller community in the south west during the community consultation in preparing this strategy. Also identified as key was the need for culturally appropriate and accessible drug and alcohol services for Travellers in the region TVG (Cork City) is the only Traveller organisation in the region with a dedicated Drug and Alcohol Worker. It is recommended that the population data as dispersed throughout Cork and Kerry is examined to ensure that Travellers affected by problematic drug and alcohol use have access to the Community Reinforcement Approach and case management treatment models as early as possible in problem use. There is a gap in resourcing for Kerry. It is recommended that at least one dedicated Traveller Drug and Alcohol Worker is put in place in County Kerry – linked to Kerry Traveller Health and Community Development Project and Kerry Drug and Alcohol Services. The Connect Recovery programme is offered in certain parts of the Region and is Traveller-led through the TVG project. This programme should be made available more widely and more often. The corresponding model for young people is the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) and this should also be implemented alongside the case management treatment model.

Strategic Objective 18 Provide further resources for the implementation of Community Reinforcement Approach (including ACRA for young people) and case management treatment models for availability to all Travellers with problematic drug and alcohol use, and extend the Connect Recovery Programme.