Parents of addicts are like 'soldiers' in a war

Aileen Malone speaking at a protest last year ahead of the inquest into the death of George Nkencho. Ms Malone, the mother of the late Dara Quigley, spoke at the Citizens' Assembly. Picture: Damien Storan

Being a parent of a child in addiction is like being “a soldier in a war”, a father told the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use at the weekend.

Gearaidh Mathews said his son’s descent into drug abuse and mental ill-health placed his son in “harm’s way so many times and in so many dangerous situations”.