Service to mourn drug victims and offer hope to families

UP to a thousand people are expected to attend an annual service tonight in memory of all those who have died from drugs and to support those struggling with addiction.

Families from across the country, and from the North and Scotland, will gather at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Dublin’s north inner city for the event.

Voluntary members of the Family Support Network have been organising the service since 2000.

“Families are the ones who have to pick up the pieces when loved ones are crying in pain when they can’t access treatment — but family members also have a hope in new beginnings,” said Sadie Grace, FSN coordinator.

She said this year’s service would have two main focuses — “new beginnings” and “celebrating autonomy”.

“We believe family members of those affected by or lost to drug use, have a hope in new beginnings. That is what the Family Support Network is striving for — to help one another up on our feet again and to continue the journey of life,” said Ms Grace.

The service will be attended by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy Burke, the Taoiseach’s aide-de-camp, Captain Mick Treacy, and the minister with special responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Pat Carey TD.

The FSN was formed in 2000 and has grown to include more than 80 member groups throughout Ireland.

The overall aim of the group is to improve the situation of families coping with drug use in the home. “Families are the ones who have to pick up the pieces when loved ones are crying in pain when they can’t access treatment or when drug dealers are looking for their money,” added Ms Grace.

Speaking in advance of the ninth annual service, Phillip Keegan, chairman of the Steering Committee said: “Although there has been a lot of media attention around cocaine-related deaths in recent months, we must remember all drug-related deaths, regardless of the victim’s celebrity status, cause loss and suffering to families.

“We must also remember family members continue to die from heroin and methadone-related causes, although these are not given the same media attention.”

For further information about the Family Support Network or the Annual Service of Commemoration and Hope, call the Family Support Network (01 8365168).

The annual Service of Commemoration and Hope takes place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin 1, at 7.30pm tonight