Drug treatment site is identified in area

A SITE in Banbridge has been earmarked as a centre to treat young people affected by drugs.

It comes after Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said last week that a one stop shop for young drug addicts in Northern Ireland should be established.

Advice and support would be provided for those affected by substance misuse, and related problems like suicide would also be addressed, Michael McGimpsey added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Five initial centres have been identified along with the one in Banbridge, one in north Down, Ards, Enniskillen and east Antrim.

Two weeks ago a Leader investigation uncovered that teens in the district are snorting plant food to get the same highs as if they were taking cocaine or ecstasy. Mephedrone is cheaper than regular ‘party drugs’ and has become popular among some of the district’s young people in the past few months under its disguise as plant food.

We also revealed that heroin could be bought in the town for 20.

Mr McGimpsey said: "Although the relationship between alcohol and drug misuse and suicide and self-harm is complex, what is clear is that the two issues are linked and it therefore provides us with an opportunity to effectively intervene to protect our vulnerable individuals, families and communities."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over a fifth of youths aged 11-16 have used illegal drugs or solvents in Northern Ireland. Around 16% of youths have used or tried cannabis, and in 2008 there was an increase in the number of suicides to 282.

The minister attended a seminar in Newtownabbey - Drugs, Alcohol, Suicide and Self-Harm - Cause or Effect? - aimed at increasing awareness of the links and risks between drugs, alcohol, suicide and self-harm with local groups, agencies and sectors.

Dr Eddie Rooney, chief executive of the Public Health Agency, said: "It is heartening to see that close links are being forged across a wide range of sectors, as demonstrated by the work being taken forward by partner organisations to tackle this issue and, by doing so, reduce local health inequalities."