Education worker welcomes its introduction to National Drugs Strategy
THE introduction of alcohol to the new National Drugs Strategy has been welcomed by northside drugs prevention and education worker Seán Ward, who believes that it is the most misused drug in the area in which he operates.
He said: “Society sees alcohol as a harmless drug where I would see it as harmful specifically in its ability to affect judgement”.
Seán works for the Northside We’re Okay Youth Initiative, which informs young people in the areas of Moyross, Kileely, Ballynanty and Thomondgate about the effects of drug use.
Alcohol was introduced to the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, launched in September, as statistics consistently show its misuse in Irish society is a serious problem.
The National Drugs Strategy states that alcohol related liver disease in Ireland increased by 147% between 1995 and 2004.
In his position as a drug education worker, he argued: “It has much more of an impact on young people than the more mature, and binge-drinking is a huge concern”. He commented that cannabis and hash are the second most commonly used drug in the area, with an assortment of more serious drugs such as cocaine and heroin, also available.
Working in the drug prevention agency, his primary objective is to provide teenagers and their parents with facts about different substances.
He added: “Drug use and teenagers is often seen as taboo, so with more openness, that’s how you get more understanding”. He admitted that is often better for parents to approach Northside We’re Okay if concerned that their children may be using drugs.
Seán feels the key to working effectively with the children is mutual respect. “We deal with them with respect and we listen to them. Its our job to be respectful, not to be patronising, and we speak to them about what they know”.
When asked if it was difficult to get through to some teens, he responded: “We build up a relationship to get an idea of their thinking, views and attitudes to drugs”.
He is concerned about the presence of Crystal Meth, saying: “It’s worrying…I’ve worked with groups that have been offered it in the community. We have seen many communities in the United States destroyed by this drug”.
Apart from raising awareness about drugs within the community, Northside We’re Okay also provides funding for alternative activities for young people.
Seán pointed out they will support any project with a good funding application from established organisation because they understand that creative drug prevention activities are really beneficial.
Projects funded by the scheme include summer programmes in Moyross Community Centre, as well a filmmaking project in Northside Youth Cafe.
He spoke about the spin-off of these projects: “Hopefully, young people won’t get involved with drugs because they’ll have something else to do”.
A film project funded by Northside “We’re OK” Youth Initiative.
