Anti-drugs group targets exam results day
Parents and Leaving Certificate exam students have already been issued with a drugs information pack. The process is to be repeated next month when the Junior Certificate results come out in an all-out effort to ensure everyone celebrates in safety.
The promoters of the packs say they’re not trying to be “party-poopers” but want to ensure those celebrating their results are aware of the perils of alcohol and drug misuse.
Sinéad O’ Mahoney-Carey, drugs’ education officer with the HSE’s Substance Misuse Service in the south Tipperary area, says 2,500 packs are being issued to both junior and leaving certificate students in the region.
“We are not party poopers. We just want exam students to be aware of what they are taking and the potential harmful side-effects of drink and drugs.
“The pack comes in a large, brown envelope and features information on alcohol and substance misuse and a little black book on drugs, the symptoms when someone takes them and their harmful impact.
“The pack also includes a DVD, a rural story telling the plight of a boy who gets involved in drugs. Also included is a funky wallet with big white lettering, kNOw Drugs and local and national drug helpline numbers,” she added.
“Those of us who have been working together over the last four years in the South Tipperary Education Sub Group have been running this particular awareness campaign since 2004. This year, the group received significant funding and decided to highlight substance and alcohol misuse issues around the time of exam results. We are hopeful that our efforts will make a difference,” she added.
