Substance abuse awareness event in Milltown next week

Milltown GAA Club is holding a substance abuse awareness event on Wednesday February 7 at Milltown Community Centre at 7pm.

The programme, which is being run in conjunction with the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, is part of Milltown GAA's club's Health Club initiative.

It will feature two guest speakers, Tom Conlon from Westmeath GAA and Martina Dunne, a development worker from Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, one of the organisers, Paul Heduan, explained that why the club decided to run the event.

“Drugs are a significant issue in towns and rural areas. Anecdotally it appears to be rampant. I have heard from people who work in accident and emergency units and the courts service about the down stream effect that substance abuse has.”

Unlike in previous generations when drugs were largely confined to urban areas, today they are a problem in every rural community.

“They appear to be everywhere. It is an easy as dialling for a pizza at the weekend, it seems.”

The upcoming Substance Abuse Awareness Programme is the latest event organised as part of Milltown's GAA Club's Healthy Club initiative.

Last November the club ran a successful Movember event promoting positive mental health and Paul says that he hopes that the upcoming awareness evening proves equally as popular.

“We just want to get a conversation going and to inform people about what to look out for.”

While the event is being organised and hosted by Milltown GAA Club, anyone from the wider locality is welcome to attend. It open to anyone over the age of 18 and booking is essential.

For more information or to book your place, contact Paul on 087 9626573 or email westmeathen@gmail.com. You can also register your interest at www.rebrand.ly/bookmyplac/.