Navan drug prevention service closes its doors due to lack of funding

LOUISE WALSH

A constant 'battle' for funding has led to the closure of a 30-year old award-winning national drug prevention and advisory service, at a time when its founder says that teenagers as young as 14 are taking heroin in Meath.

Founder of the national Aisling Group charity in Navan Co. Meath, Marie Byrne says the closure comes as drug use reaches 'epidemic proportions' in Ireland.
Internationally acclaimed addiction counsellor Marie Byrne says children of 11 years are now binge drinking while teenagers are using heroin from 14 or even younger.
The centre, which was the recipient of the All Island Special Endeavour Award from then President Mary McAleese, has helped thousands of children, adults and families across the country in awareness and treatment programmes over the last three decades.
She described the closure - which has helped thousands of children, adults and families across Ireland - as 'heartbreaking' but says she could no longer afford to financially fund the voluntary service, with no Government agency support.
The author has worked in an advisory capacity with the Australian Goverment and has travelled to Brazil to work in the notorious drug-run favellas with the famous BOPE police force.
She believes Ireland is losing its fight against drugs “by treating symptoms but not the root causes.
“Ireland is known internationally for its liberal attitude to drug use,” she said.
“Teenagers as young as 14 are now using heroin and children of 11 years old are binging on alcohol.
“Our leaders appear to have thrown in the towel as they look at spaces where people can supposedly use drugs safely - but there is no safe use.
“Once, crack cocaine was something we saw on the TV but now it has become the substance of choice here.
“I thought the situation was bad 30 years ago but it's nothing compared to now. Children and adults are even using the internet to learn how to buy or cut drugs.
“Ireland has one of the highest rates of drug use in Europe but we've a policy of treating the symptoms, not reducing the use.
“There's little funding for drug-free programmes here, instead €22 million is spent on methadone every year.
“It's at epidemic proportions.”
Marie is now about to publish her second book - ‘Angel in the Marble’ - which gives advise to parents on recognising and helping their children who show signs of addictions, including alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, gambling and internet use.
Marie says it was a ‘privilege’ to work at the centre which was the recipient of the All Island Special Endeavour Award from then President Mary McAleese.
“It was a privilege to meet so many people and see them overcome their addictions and move onto a better life. Our great volunteers, supporters and friends helped so much.
“We never got the real financial support needed for the service - it was a major challenge constantly.
“It cost me a lot financially but I know that people are alive today because of the work of the charity and nothing can ever take away from that,” she concluded.