‘Society is too accepting of substance abuse’
Phillip Keegan from the Greater Blanchardstown Response to Drugs, which organises the Let’s Talk About Drugs Media Awards, said getting people to talk about drug and alcohol addiction remains a challenge.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday, Mr Keegan said the competition was all about triggering a wider discussion on drug related issues.
“Ireland’s problem with prescription drugs and alcohol is largely hidden because it is accepted instead of being challenged,” he said. “People have a real fear about discussing the issues that need to be addressed. Until they do they are not going to get anywhere.”
Mr Keegan said the economic downturn meant that more people were using drugs and alcohol to escape from their situations.
“Going to the pub for a drink or to the doctor for a few pills is an easy start to becoming involved in more serious addictive behaviour,” he warned.
Over 100 students, budding journalists and animators created original media features about drugs, alcohol and rehabilitation. The overall winners this year were students from Portmarnock Community School in Co Dublin for their animated features and cartoons. Mr Keegan said the work of all the award winners would be highlighted on television, radio and in the print media.
“Some of the points put forward in the winning entries around drug rehabilitation, alcohol and prescription drugs will hopefully get communities and public representatives talking about the issues raised,” he said.
This year’s competition invited new media formats in addition to the original newspaper article category.
Mr Keegan, who was also a judge, said the use of audio, film, animation and cartoon strips helped to stimulate debate about the issues among the groups involved.
The awards are organised by the Greater Blanchardstown Response to Drugs in partnership with the Co Dublin VEC and the HSE.
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