Text service to inform young people about illegal drugs

A NEW mobile phone text alert service was launched yesterday to provide instant advice to young people on the dangers of illicit drugs.

Young people offered illegal drugs can find out the effects they can have on their life or health within seconds by texting the name of the drug to 50100.

Conor Hickey, director of the Catholic social care agency, Crosscare, said the text service aimed at young people could prove a vital support that may save their lives.

A study by the Crosscare Drug Awareness Programme revealed that 66% of those who have taken illegal drugs took them for the first time while at secondary school.

Mr Hickey said the service recognised the reality that every night in clubs, bars and streets around the country, another young person was being offered drugs for the first time.

“Drug abuse has ruined so many lives and will continue to do so unless we relentlessly pursue raising awareness using whatever media reaches out to young people,” he said.

“Despite all that we have learned in Ireland about drug use and abuse, when you are 13 or 14, it can be all new to you.

“This service gives clear, concise information in an instant and could save lives,” he said.

The 50100 Virtual Outreach text service was developed by Crosscare’s Drug Awareness Programme on the back a study which found that as many as one-in-five people in Ireland are reported to have used illegal drugs, with higher rates among young people.

A study carried out last year revealed that 37% of the students interviewed, between the ages of 15 and 24, had used cannabis, while a further 3% had experimented with cocaine.

By texting the name of the drug to 50100, the person will be sent a brief text message highlighting the dangers involved in taking the drug and telling them where to get more information on it.

The service, which is backed by Vodafone Ireland and Puca Technologies, recognises the hundreds of variations, code words and street language used around illegal drugs.

Mr Hickey said the service would also work to keep parents informed of what substances their children may be offered, or could be using.