Support plan for addicts developed
Wednesday February 10 2010
A one stop shop for young drug addicts in Northern Ireland should be established as a matter of urgency, the Health Minister has said.
Advice and support would be provided for those affected by substance misuse, and related problems like suicide would also be addressed, Michael McGimpsey added.
Initial centres in north Down, Ards, Enniskillen, Banbridge and east Antrim have been identified as possible sites.
Over a fifth of youths aged 11-16 have used illegal drugs or solvents.
"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," Mr McGimpsey said.
Around 16% of youths have used or tried cannabis, and in 2008 there was an increase in the number of suicides to 282.
A pilot programme in Derry has shown alcohol is associated with around 60% of self-harm cases.
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."
Press Association
