Evaluation of CARE (Community alcohol response and engagement) pilot project.

The Community Alcohol Response and Engagement (CARE) pilot programme ran in the three areas of Ballymun, Finglas and the North Dublin Region, which included areas such as Swords, Balbriggan, Lusk and Malahide, between June 2014 and June 2015. CARE was developed to provide alcohol treatment options in the community by utilising a range of local services that are already available, such as community GPs, HSE addiction services and local pharmacies. These worked with a dedicated team of clinical nurse specialists. This evaluation on the CARE project showed that between June 2014 and June 2015, 142 people were referred to CARE, mainly by community-based GPs, 105 of whom presented for assessment. An analysis of 40 randomly selected clients showed that 82% either significantly reduced their alcohol intake or becoming abstinent. In fact, 54% became abstinent, and of these, over half maintained their abstinence. Only 8% of participants made no progress in relation to their alcohol intake.