A documentary on homelessness in Cork.

In the late 1970s and early 80s Dublin was a city spinning out of control due to the first devastating epidemic of heroin addiction. Inner city communities were under siege as drug users converged from all over to buy drugs in their flat complexes. By early 1983 hundreds had died as a result of drug related problems. Ordinary citizens mobilised and took to the streets in an attempt to stop the sale and distribution of drugs which were killing their families, friends and neighbours.

They burst onto the scene attracting enormous attention as a result of directly confronting pushers and dealers, policing and barricading whole areas of Dublin in a community fight for survival. Thus began what has been described as the most significant social movement to emerge from Dublin’s working class community since the 1913 Lockout and the rise and fall of CPAD is told in new two part documentary series ‘Pushers Out’.

Pushers Out can be seen on DCTV on Saturday November 21st and Sunday 22nd at 8.30pm.

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Have some core programmes – including a premiere or two. Check.

Have a community partner ready to organise some real world events. Check.

Have a festival scheduling group in place  to choose programmes. Check.

Have volunteers unearthing potential material from DCTVs archives and across the mediaverse. Check.

Date – TBC. Theme – Drugs.

Coming soon to DCTV – a weekend of material looking at drugs, addiction, how Dublins communities react and deal with these issues, and whatever relevant television is chosen or made by the DCTV members behind the upcoming drugs festival. There’s the premier of a new, two part history of the Concerned Parents Against Drugs movement made by Brian Gray. There’s innovative drama from Community Response. There’s discussion programmes and studio debates – some in the edit suite and some still to be shot: the festival is still in preparation and is seeking suggestions for material and participants in debate.

Contact festival_drugs@dctv.ie for more details or watch this space – and your local communty channel.