On 20 October 2017, the Finglas Addiction Support Team (FAST) launched their new strategic plan for 2017—2020 entitled ‘Delivering our ambition: recovery for a better life’.¹ FAST offers a range of services, including drop-in; addiction counselling; polydrug use service; aftercare; family support; and the Recovery Coach programme. Their vision is ‘leading an innovative centre of excellence where people can recover and have fulfilled lives in their community’; and their mission: ‘we will provide accessible quality services for those affected by drug and alcohol use and mental health issues’. These are supported by four values: dignity, integrity, empowerment, and quality.

The new strategy has three priority areas, each of which is underpinned by a set of objectives:

Sustainability

• Ensure that resources are in place to underpin current and future services.
• Ensure that best practice governance is maintained and monitored throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that FAST has a supportive culture, robust organisational structure, and suitable competencies.

Innovation and growth

• Apply appropriate growth strategies to existing service level agreement objectives.
• Develop recovery-focused integrated care pathways to better meet the needs of participants with dual diagnosis.
• Continue to increase knowledge of evidence-based practice in addressing drug and alcohol use and mental health.
• Maintain a keen focus on the health and wellbeing of our participants, staff and wider community.

Collaboration and communication

• Influence attitudes and behaviours locally to reduce stigmatisation and marginalisation of people with addiction and mental health problems.
• Promote and raise awareness about the work of FAST within the community.