Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Communities should not accept drug abuse as a given - Curran

Published: 30 August, 2009

Newry Sinn Féin councillor Brendan Curran has highlighted the role of the community in tackling the growing problem of Drug and Alcohol abuse. Cllr Curran was speaking after recent reports have shown an increase in drug abuse among young people.

Cllr Curran said:

"We need to recognise the reality of drug and alcohol abuse in our communities, but that does not mean that we have to accept it.

"Communities should not accept as a given the harm caused by drug and alcohol abuse, any more than we accept poor housing or massive unemployment as a given.

"We need to understand that we have the power to tackle the many problems facing the health of our community also, not least the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse and we are more than up to the task.

"Recognising that there is a problem, raising awareness on all aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and engaging with young people is the best way to deal with this problem."