FESAT Best Practice Exchange Partnership, Utrecht, Sept 2010

“The HSE Drugs/HIV Helpline is a confidential, freephone, active listening service offering non-directive support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to substance use and/or HIV and sexual health”

Background Established in 1997 (In 1996, a prominent crime journalist called Veronica Guerin was murdered due to her reporting of the criminal drug world in Ireland. Her death led to radical changes in drug treatment and funding of services) The Helpline is Funded by the HSE (Health Service Executive) and is accessible throughout Ireland (pop.4 million approx)

Staffing Helpline Manager, Aileen Dooley, (currently on maternity leave) 4 Helpline Staff Members (All Female) 2 full time & 2 part time Helpline open Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm

Calls to Helpline Our Helpline offers 2 Services: A Drug Helpline A Sexual Health / HIV Helpline

Advertisement/Publicity Our number is in the phonebook under ‘Emergency Numbers’ Our number is on various websites, people search google using Drug helpline or HIV Helpline We do ‘post out’ campaigns annually to: all police stations nationwide, Credit Unions, Health Centres, GP’S, Social Workers, Citizens Information Centres, Counselling & Psychotherapy Services

Campaigns Our Number is used for Nationwide campaigns Most recently – ‘Legal highs/Head Shop Products’ – June 2010 Codeine – August 2010

Trends in calls Drug most referred to is Cannabis 62% of calls in 2009, were from a 3 rd party 34% 3 rd party calls were from mothers 18% of calls are about HIV/ Sexual health In 2009 Cannabis was referred to in 25% of calls Heroin was referred to in 24% of calls & alcohol in 14% of calls

Referrals Provided To Callers We refer a caller on in 86% of our calls Referral Breakdown For 2009 Counsellor 19% Support Group17% GP10% Treatment Centre10% HIV/STI Clinic9% Callback8% Other8% Community Project6% Outreach Worker5% Rehab4% Post Out Info 4%

Helpline Statistics for Jan 2009 Feb 2009 Mar 2009 Apr 2009 May 2009 Jun 2009 July 2009 Aug 2009 Sept 2009 Oct 2009 Nov 2009 Dec 2009 Total All Calls STI HIV Hep HIV/HEP/ Sexual Drug Drug & Mental Health None of Above

Call Statistics continued… 2009Jan Feb 2009 Mar 2009 Apr 2009 May 2009 Jun 2009 July 2009 Aug 2009 Sept 2009 Oct 2009 Nov 2009 Dec 2009 Total Info Test Wrong No Hang Up Admin Silent Support

Any Questions??