SPECIAL REPORT, DAY 2: Need to develop sense of self and interests beyond drugs

As far as Eleanor O’Sullivan is concerned, it is a waste of time lecturing young people to say no to drugs.

“People will experiment,” she says. “Here we practice harm reduction, which is giving them information so they can make informed choices when the time comes. The idea of the project is to put so many supports in place that young people develop a sense of self and interests beyond drugs. We don’t ram an anti-drugs message down their throats; we work instead on giving young people confidence.”

In their modern building on Gurranabraher Rd, the project works with up to 300 young locals.