Merchants Quay Ireland. Annual review 2013.

MQI’s 17th Annual Review highlights the continued growth of homelessness and drug use and the increasing levels of hardship and vulnerability experienced by the many men and women caught in drugs and homelessness today. While there is much talk of the improving economic situation, these improvements haven’t filtered down to those most in need. MQI homeless food service provided over 85,000 meals in 2013, an 11% increase over 2012. Our primary healthcare service for homeless people provided over 4,500 individual client interventions which is a 35% on 2012. These statistics are strong indications of the increasing levels of hardship and vulnerability experienced by homeless people. MQI’s Needle exchange service in Dublin recorded over 25,000 client visits, showing an increase of 16% from 2012. In total over 3,260 individuals accessed our needle exchange programme during 2013, of which 614 were new service users, an increase of 10%. Growth in drug use outside Dublin continued where MQI’s Midlands Harm Reduction Outreach Service saw 3,264 visits to the service, an increase of 34%. Across MQI’s residential facilities there are an increased number of people from outside Dublin accessing services. 58% of admissions the St Francis Farm Detox unit came from outside Dublin. The Detox unit served clients from across 18 counties. 48% of those accessing our drug-free rehabilitation service based at High Park, Drumcondra and St Francis Farm, Tullow were from outside the Dublin region. This highlights the real need for detox and rehab facilities across Irelan