Prevention projects need funds to tackle 'really depressing' level of alcohol and drug use among young

The HSE lead on Alcohol, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Aisling Sheehan, pointed out to the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs that alcohol use is 'quite normalised' among young people and that it is a 'huge challenge to challenge that'. File photo

Health officials admit statistics on alcohol and drug use among young people are "really depressing" and are calling for more funding for prevention and early intervention.

The HSE lead on Alcohol, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Aisling Sheehan, told the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs there are good prevention projects in the country but that they need investment to “bring them to scale” across the country.