This article is from page 41 of the 2008-11-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 41 JPG
PARENTS, students and community leaders in Kilrush are taking on the fight against illegal drugs by sup- porting and informing young people in the town.
The Local Education Commit- tee in Kilrush made up of students and parents from Kilrush Commu- nity School and St. Senan’s Primary school have joined with interested Students, teachers, Home School Community Liaisons and other local community agencies to put together a full week of programmes and ac- tivities on drug awareness as part of the campaign. The theme is “The Evil of Drugs”.
With the gardai and the local com- munity support group such as the Kilrush Family Resource Centre ad- mitting that there is a problem with drugs and under-age alcohol in the west Clare area, facts and figures
relating to the problem remain anec- olor eYF
The Regional Drug Task Force for the mid-west is currently gathering information in the town, but read- ily admit the information through surveys on such a topic is not neces- sarily as accurate as the information discussed within the teenage peer group.
The most up to date information available to those fighting drugs use in Kilrush is that collected nationally by the Health Research Board.
According to its research three per cent of 15 to 34 year olds reported us- ing cocaine last year. Ecstasy use has remained stable in the country with 2.4 per cent of young adults using the drug in the past year compared to 2.3 per cent the previous year.
Amphetamine use in Ireland is very low at less than half a per cent, but Ireland represents one per cent of problem opiate users.
The week long drug information week in Kilrush beginning on No- vember 24 will provide more infor- Tpar-HaCoyem-H Oe Mr-Ce Mrs (eor
The week will feature expert views, guest speakers, exhibitions and read- ings and will culminate on Friday 28 with an “Alcohol Free Night at the Pub”.
Competitions were held at Kilrush Community School and St. Senan’s Primary School in categories of creative art, essay, poetry and rap. Exhibitions, readings and activities are planned for the week at both schools.
On Monday there will be a Drug Awareness Information Night at Kil- rush Community School from 8pm with speakers Det. Garda Seamus McMahon and Anna O’Neil from Slainte. Representatives from the ‘No Name Club” will be available with information. During the week people are invited to visit the schools
to view art, hear readings and Rap and to view other exhibitions.
On Friday from 6pm to 8pm the ‘Alcohol Free Night at the Pub” held in the Galleon Pub in Cappa, Kilrush will celebrate a sober night out.
Awards will be presented to win- ners of the competitions, and a bro- chure with information on local serv- ices, phone numbers, where to go for more infomation will be available. This brochure has been put together by students and will be launched on the night. There will be a table quiz and a disco, and food will be provid- ed. Soft drinks, minerals and non- alcoholic drinks will be available to OLUNKe EE Kor
This community project is a com- bined effort and is being funded by the Mid-west Regional Drug Task Force with time, talent and addition- al resources provided by schools, in- dividuals, businesses and the Kilrush Family Resource Centre.