The people of Donegal have had enough. They've united to tackle the spiralling problems of drink and drug abuse that are taking an ever greater toll, especially on our young people.
Agencies and concerned individuals will form a special community-led task force in a cross-border pilot project spearheaded by the North West Alcohol Forum.
"The most important message to come out of this meeting tonight is that we recognise we ha
ve a problem and we are trying to change it, the Forun's director Eamon O'Kane told the meeting at the Central Hotel, Donegal town on Tuesday night.
Those attending the meeting heard harrowing facts and stories highlighting the extraordinary costs of drink and drug abuse.
Cocaine use is on the rise, while the well-publicised seizures of illegal drugs represent "only the tip of the iceberg". The presence of head shops on Main Streets gives young people the illusion that the products are safe.
Alcohol, Ireland's 'drug of choice' costs our health service at least 953 million euro per year. The hidden costs, in terms of public order offences, domestic violence, murder and suicide, are even greater.
Young people are starting to drink at the age of twelve, and think that's normal. In Donegal, 15-16 year olds drink around 1 million euro worth of alcohol each year.
There was a palpable determination among those present to protect children from falling into addiction.
Martin McFadden spoke from personal experience. "When you start, you have a choice. But you lose that choice very quickly through addiction.
"I'm passionate about recovery and I've seen many miracles. But I've also walked behind the coffins of a lot of people who could not give it up."
