title: Open drug scenes and drug-related public nuisance: a visual rapid assessment research study in Dublin, Ireland.
abstract: The research was undertaken at a time of increasing public concerns for drug- and alcohol-related public nuisance in the city center of Dublin, Ireland. Rapid Assessment Research was conducted involving qualitative interviewing with drug service users; business, transport, community, voluntary, and statutory stakeholders (n = 61); and an environmental mapping exercise. The interplay between homelessness, loitering, an influx of drug users via city metro systems, transient open drug scenes, street drinking, drug injecting, intimidation, knife crime, and prescribed medication abuse was evident. Potential strategies to address drug and alcohol related public nuisance are advised to include the relocation of treatment services, targeted harm reduction initiatives, urban regeneration, improved community rehabilitation pathways, and heightened policing intensity.
authors.affiliation: Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland. mcvanhout@wit.ie
authors.forename: Marie Claire
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Van Hout
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bingham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011639:Public Opinion; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult