In response to the growing drugs crisis in the government identified the the involvement of communities most affected as a major strategic objective. Local people were to be involved in the Local Drugs Task Forces and to help the community to participate fully in the process. The URRÚS training centre of the Ballymun Youth Project designed and implemented a Community Addiction Studies Course (CASC), which was run in eight of the twelve task force areas. This report assesses the effectiveness of the programme, including those who moved into voluntary or paid employment after attending CASC. The report shows that 35% of those who attended did so out of personal or family reasons. The report notes that 55% of those who attended the course did not hold the Leaving Certificate, however 25% had been educated to third level or higher. This varied mix contributed towards a rewarding learning experience for participants. The drugs issue seems to be a catalyst in bringing people back to education, with 59% of participants in CASC going onto further training. The report also examines the roles that participants undertook after the training in CASC concluding that the course has provided an 'extra pair of hands' for delivering community services.