Centre to help in youth drugs fight

A NEW centre on Cork’s northside, which targets at-risk youths, will help in the fight against drugs.

Drugs Strategy Minister Pat Carey officially opened the Knocknaheeny Youth Link-Point centre yesterday — the final piece of a €3.8 million campus which offers enhanced facilities for young people in one of Cork’s most economically deprived areas.

Building work on the project, based on the grounds of Terence McSwiney College, was completed recently.

Following yesterday’s official opening the site now offers a City of Cork VEC College providing Junior Cert, Leaving Cert, further education, a Youthreach programme, special education and sports facilities.

A youth café, a family crèche operated by the Sisters of Charity, and a Health Service Executive early intervention initiative are also based on the same campus.

Four youth workers have been appointed to the Link-Point service. They will work with vulnerable local young people aged between 10 and 21 in need of educational and mentoring support and who are not participating in existing services.

They will link with existing youth projects to ensure that the range of services are available at times to suit the young people — especially during the evenings and at weekends.

The City of Cork VEC, in the context of its responsibility under the 2001 Youth Work Act, has appointed Ógra Chorcaí to manage the new facility and operate the service.

Mr Carey said it is a fine example of how the combination of a number of services working together can make a real difference to the young people.

“I see prevention as a key pillar of the National Drugs Strategy and we must all work together to provide alternatives to drug misuse and give young people the opportunity to participate in society in a more meaningful way,” he said. “In this regard, I am certain that this facility will enhance the personal and social development of young people in this area and I hope they enjoy it for a long time to come.”

The €1.65 million capital cost for Link-Point, as well as the €550,000 staff and running costs, have been funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Cork City Council provided €250,000.