Fermanagh Ógra Shinn Féin Get Active Against Drug And Alcohol Abuse

To mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Saturday 26th June 2010, Ógra Shinn Féin in Fermanagh are to undertake an extensive leaflet drop across Enniskillen to raise awareness of the damage being done to our society by the abuse of drugs and alcohol.



Commenting on the initiative, Sinn Féin Councillor Phil Flanagan had this to say:

“The problem of drug and alcohol abuse in our society is one that has been around for many years, but with an increasing availability and a reducing price of illegal drugs, the problem is becoming more and more worrying. With the recent widespread availability of low cost 'legal highs', it is clear to see that urgent action needs to be taken to combat this threat to our society.”

“The goal of this campaign is to educate, mobilise support and to inspire people to act against drug and alcohol abuse. The campaign encourages young people to become more educated on drugs and alcohol, to put their health first and be more aware of the affects. The world drug campaign calls on young people, who are twice as likely as adults to take drugs, to protect their health.”

“Drug and alcohol abuse is preventable. We, in Ógra Shinn Féin are in the process of developing prevention activities that provide the public, particularly young people, with the information, skills and opportunities they need to make healthy choices, including the choice to avoid using harmful drugs.”



“Peer influence to experiment with illicit drugs can be strong and self-esteem is often low amongst young people in deprived areas. Also, those who take illicit drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved. One of the most challenging aspects of this campaign is that many of those taking drugs in Fermanagh come from all walks of like and social classes. Drug abuse is non-discriminatory and more needs to be done both to encourage people to make the right choices, but also to remove the drug dealers from our society.”

“There is also evidence that the PSNI in Fermanagh are failing to take the issue of drug abuse seriously and I have sought an urgent meeting with the Chief Superintendent to pass on my concerns about the ease of attaining illegal drugs in this county and to ask for more action to be taken by the PSNI to remove those selling illegal drugs from our streets.”