Bray Community Addiction Team (BCAT) was established in 2002 through the Bray Local Drugs Task Force (BLDTF)’s Action Plan.  BCAT is located in two sides of Bray so as to serve the two communities most affected by the problems associated with drugs/alcohol misuse.  BCAT is recommended for funding by the BLDATF, and funding is provided by the HSE and the Probation Service.

BCAT has evolved since inception and provides services to individuals, families and the wider community, who are experiencing drug/alcohol problems.  BCAT views drug/alcohol problems from the bio-psychosocial perspective and provides services to people along the continuum of care from harm reduction services to drug free options.  Specifically BCAT provides: Drop In with access to laundry/shower facilities and food; 5 day open access needle exchange service; one-to-one support in the form of key working/case management for people with drug/alcohol problems in the community; key working/case management for people with addiction problems who are homeless; key working for people in prison who have drug/alcohol problems.  In addition BCAT also conducts outreach and home visits. Recognising that there are many paths to recovery, BCAT has been running SMART Recovery meetings, the leading self-empowering addiction recovery support group, providing an alternative to traditional 12 Step recovery support groups. BCAT also provides support to the relatives of people with addiction problems.  Family members are offered one to one support.

BCAT is managed by a voluntary Board of Directors and delivers its essential services through the employment of 12 staff, Tus workers and a number of volunteers.

Vision Statement

A community owned service, accepting, empowering and including people in the Bray area who seek assistance in relation to substance use and/or addiction issues.

Mission Statement

To provide a welcoming, non-judgmental confidential environment in which to offer appropriate services to individuals, families and the wider community affected by substance misuse and addiction issues.

Aims

• To enable service users to identify their needs and to respond with appropriate services
• To build and maintain collaborative working relationships with voluntary, community and statutory sectors.
• To raise awareness of BCAT within the community
• To maintain models of best practice and to respond to changing needs through ongoing research, education, training and evaluation.
• To promote a positive working environment by recognising staff contribution

Objectives

• To provide open access low threshold evidence based services to people in Bray affected by drug and/or alcohol problems
• To deliver evidence based interventions to the target group in a one to one and group To vide outreach services to people with drug/alcohol problems
• To provide addiction support to people in prison for drug/alcohol related crime
• To provide addiction/integration support to people on release from prison
• To provide evidence based interventions on a one to one and group setting to people experiencing homelessness
• To provide evidence based interventions on a one to one and group setting to family members affected by their relative’s drug/alcohol use
• To raise awareness/educate the local community on drug/alcohol related issues
• To work in partnership with local key stakeholders to improve outcomes for mutual client group or any other external parties that will enable us to improve our quality and range of services