Invitation to tender for research project:
To provide a community profile analysing trends in drug use in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath
For
Merchants Quay Ireland DATS (Drug and Alcohol Treatment Support) Project

Introduction

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) is a national voluntary organization that supports people who are in addiction. We provide frontline services, practical supports, pathways towards recovery and innovative responses to the issues of drug use. Merchants Quay Ireland Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services (MQI DATS) are funded by the HSE Addiction Services and the Midlands Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF) to provide addiction support services in the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath. 

MQI DATS is a community-based drug and alcohol prevention and treatment support services that operates across the midlands area.

These services include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive assessment and care planning
• One to one support and/or group support
• Key working & interagency care planning
• Family support & family support specialist services
• Outreach based crisis support & referral on as appropriate
• Mobile harm reduction & Needle & Syringe Exchange Programme
• Rehabilitation, aftercare & relapse prevention
• Information, education & advocacy

In addition to the DATS service MQI runs a rehabilitation-based Community Employment Scheme in Tullamore which empowers people with substance misuse problems, move towards and maintain, a drug free lifestyle through the provision of training, support services and after care.

The culture of substance misuse within communities’ changes over time and with that, responses may need to be put in place accordingly.

Communities across the midlands area have seen significant changes in recent years with regard to drug & alcohol misuse as well as size in population changes, noting increase in cocaine and crack cocaine use in communities. This in turn can create challenges for service users, families and the wider community.

These trends are confirmed by the communities we work with as well as relevant data sources. Responses to poly drug use and the related issues it presents are complex and multifaceted. MQI with the support of the MRDATF and the HSE Addiction Service feel it is timely and necessary to research, define and reflect on these changes and the responses required, with a view to informing the delivery of services into the future.

Project Requirements 

MQI are seeking a suitable and experienced Consultant or team of Consultants to produce a study which will provide an objective evaluation of patterns of substance use and addiction in the midlands counties of Laois, Longford, Westmeath and Offaly while also capturing the experience of relevant community, voluntary and statutory sectors, frontline staff, adults with lived and living experience of addiction and families.

The Key Aim of this project is: to capture findings around drug and alcohol use patterns & prevalence in the Midland’s regions to provide a current community profile to facilitate future planning and effective responses.

Please see document attached below for further information.

Submission of Tenders

Deadline Date for Receipt of Tender: Monday 18th November 2024 @ 12.00 noon.

Tender should be sent by e-mail to geoff.corcoran@mqi.ie with e-mail clearly headed: Tender Submission for Community profile analysing trends in drug use in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath on or before the closing date.