The Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum (MWRDAF) today, Monday, 17th November launched the first ever Mid West Drugs & Alcohol Awareness Week to run from November 17th - 21st 2014.
The Week was officially launched by Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, in the Absolute Hotel, Limerick and was also attended by a number of special guests including representatives from the Clare, Tipperary and Limerick County Senior Hurling Teams.
Minister Noonan acknowledged the great work and commitment by the many agencies involved in tackling the issue of the misuse of drugs and alcohol in the Mid West and was delighted to launch the Week, which he said ‘provides a valuable opportunity to highlight the comprehesive range of supports and services available to young people, particulary around prevention; through education and information initiatives and by encouraging discussion and engagement with young people, their families and the wider community.’
Events taking place across the region encompass talks, film presentations, movie screenings, information sessions, and training aimed at parents, young people and communities. The aim of this awareness week is to promote “Stay Drugs and Alcohol aware” by keeping informed of current issues in communities, and by challenging society to identify and explore alternative social outlets for young people, families and communities which are less likely to involve alcohol or drug consumption.
Gearoid Prendergast, Coordinator of the MWRDAF commented: “The Awareness Week is a good example of one of the key objectives of ‘Healthy Ireland’ which is a national framework within the Department of Health for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Ireland. Its main focus is on prevention and keeping people healthier for longer”.
The various events scheduled to take place have been organised by the MWRDAF in partnership with Community, Voluntary and Statutory agencies within the Mid West Region.
The Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum (formerly Task Force), was established under the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, and continues under the Interim Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 to research, develop, implement and monitor a co-ordinated response to substance misuse related issues in the Mid West (counties Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary & Limerick City), based on evidence of what is effective.
Michael Lacey, Chairperson of the MWRDAF commented: “The events scheduled to take place across the Region during the week have been organised using a collaborative approach involving a broad spectrum of agencies and groups from the community, voluntary and Statutory sectors working in the Mid West.
On behalf of the Forum I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the agencies involved including the Department of Health, the HSE and the Education & Training Boards in the region, for their support in developing this Awareness Week. Events of this nature are very beneficial as they help raise awareness of the complex issues surrounding drug & alcohol misuse, help strengthen and support a community based focus to the issue, and mobilise partnership at local and regional level”.
For further information on the week please visit www.mwrdtf.ie
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