Reverse decision to cut youth drug prevention programmes in County Limerick - Cregan

The Mid Western Regional Drugs Task Force (MWRDTF) should reverse its decision to cut funding from two youth drug prevention projects in County Limerick according to County Limerick TD John Cregan. Deputy Cregan said that any other decision risks leaving young people with addiction problems with nowhere to turn for help.

The Youth Drug Prevent Project for South East Limerick based in Kilmallock and the Newcastle West Based Drugs Initiative catering for the West Limerick area, have both been told that their funding will be pulled by the end of June, which will lead to both projects closing their doors. Both services are run by Foroige, with the aim of reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs.

“When you look at the work that is being done by both of these services it is clear they make a vital contribution to communities throughout Newcastle West and South East Limerick,” said Deputy Cregan. “What is most concerning about all this is that if these services close there is no other service available to take their place.”

“While Limerick City has other drug related services available, this is not the case in Newcastle West or South East Limerick. We will be left with a drug prevention and education vacuum, meaning that young people with addiction problems in these areas will have nowhere to turn for help. That should be a cause of great concern to everyone in these areas as there will be obvious knock on effects for the entire community.”

“These services didn’t just deal with young people with a drug related problem, they also helped educate local youths about the danger of drugs through their prevention programmes. Additionally they provide much needed information, guidance and support to young people and families throughout Newcastle West, Kilmallock, Croom, Hospital, Bruff, Kilfinane, Askeaton, Pallaskenry, Mountcollins, Rathkeale and many other areas.”

“When you take all this into consideration I think it would be a very bad decision for the Mid Western Regional Drugs Task Force to go ahead with their plans to cut the funding. I am calling on them to reverse their decision. The services we have in place in Newcastle West and South Limerick do too important a job. Without them there will be a noticeable absence of drug prevention services for large parts of County Limerick,” Deputy Cregan concluded.