Our case for Your support
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Every day we hear stories of the anti-social behaviour of young people fuelled by drink and drugs. How do you react?
Is this the inevitable course of life today or can these young people be helped to turn their lives around?
The reality is that for young people in Northern Ireland caught up in the cycle of drug and alcohol addiction no dedicated residential facilities exist to help them choose a different path in life.
- Between March 2005 – March 2007 the number of young people under 18 years in treatment more than trebled from 271 to 874
- Those 874 represented 15% of individuals treated for drug and/or alcohol misuse in 2006/07
- Recent alarming evidence indicates that there are 14 and 15 years olds in Northern Ireland using cannabis daily.
- 2007 saw 3 tragic deaths from drug misuse in West Belfast alone – the oldest was 25 years of age and the youngest 17 years.
Currently there are no dedicated residential rehabilitation facilities in Northern Ireland solely for young people caught in the cycle of drug and/or alcohol dependence.
A Christian response
Substance addiction is symptomatic of the search to find answers to the hard questions of life – finding our place in society, dealing with fear of the future.
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable as they wrestle with these issues. If they do not realise their self worth and unique purpose in life, a vacuum can be created that is easily filled with drugs or alcohol.
We are all, without exception, precious in God’s sight. All are loved individually an unconditionally by Him. What is our response if we truly believe in our unique dignity as children of God, if everyone is precious in God’s eyes?
We cannot allow the freedom and self-worth of our young people be swallowed up through drugs or the ‘glamour’ of alcohol.
We cannot stand idly by and allow the bright eyes of youth to become glazed and aimless.
Inter Church Addiction Project
The Inter Church Addiction Project (ICAP) is one response to this problem.
ICAP represents four Christian denominations across Ireland (Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist, and Presbyterian) and, motivated by the love of God, is dedicated to building hope and confidence among young people, particularly those with addictions and associated problems.
ICAP is deeply concerned about the shortfall in exclusive, age - appropriate rehabilitation services available to young people in Northern Ireland and has identified a growing need for such provision.
ICAP wants to provide a dedicated, residential facility where teenagers with significant, complex and often multiple problems associated with substance abuse can undergo an intensive rehabilitation treatment programme appropriate to their age and needs, with extensive after care and family support. It is also deeply concerned about the plight of the family and concerned friends.
Treatment
ICAP will provide quality, drug-free treatment addressing the emotional, mental, social, recreational and spiritual needs of the young person.
Admission:
- a pre-treatment assessment to determine appropriate treatment for the young person;
- a weekly pre-treatment programme to prepare the young person and their family for residential treatment;
Treatment:
- a six-week residential programme for the young person based on an integrated approach to respond to the whole person and begin to nurture their self worth and dignity.
- a step-down programme on successful completion by the young person of the six-week programme;
This will be followed by:
Aftercare:
- six week preparation for aftercare programme held in the centre
- a 2-year aftercare programme for the young person
- a 2- year aftercare programme specifically for the family of the young person
- a combined monthly group for young people and parents;
- a family residential respite/therapy lasting five days
Family participation in the residential programme and aftercare will be considered vital.
Finance
We need your help to make this happen.
Key stages along the way include:
- Funding to acquire a site and premises c. £3 - 4 million
We are in the process of identifying a suitable site for the ICAP residential treatment centre
- Fitting & refurbishment costs £100,000
We want to ensure that the centre is fitted out to the very highest standards of treatment and compliance.
- Specialist equipment £250,000
This will include therapy equipment; audio/visual/sensory equipment; sports and recreational equipment; therapy equipment; kitchen equipment
- Funding for annual staffing costs c. £1 million
Rehabilitation treatment at the residential centre will be run by a skilled, multi-disciplinary team including a clinical manager, professional addiction counsellors, care workers, nurses, nursing assistants, a consultant psychiatrist (part-time), administration, catering, maintenance and relief personnel.
Donations
To make a donation please see Donation Form under the ‘Donate’ heading in the ‘Homepage’ of our website: www.icapni.org
Contact details:
Christopher (Chris) Gruhn
Project Development Officer
Inter Church Addictions Project (ICAP)
68 Berry Street
BELFAST
BT1 1FJ
Telephone: 028 90 315656
Mobile : +4407500863625