Article Taken From Kerrys Eye - 08/10/09

A SERVICE WHICH works with individuals and families affected by drug and alcohol abuse has opened a new premises at the offices of the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in Listowel. The Southern Regional Drugs Task Force was set up under the National Drugs Strategy and has had a base at the Listowel KDYS since January 2007. The task force across the Cork and Kerry region works with individuals and communities which are dealing with drug and alcohol misuse.

It now has its own purpose-built headquarters at the Church Street offices of the KDYS and is headed up by manager, Ger Lowe.

"We have been here at the KDYS since early 2007 and we work with young people, mainly between the ages of 12 and 21.

"We support people with drug and alcohol problems and support families with addiction counselling, training courses and other supports," said Ger.

"There is a lot of one-to one work and group work and we are closely involved with the Garda Youth Diversion Project," he said.

To allow the Drugs Task Force service to expand its facilities in the North Kerry area, a number of new rooms and offices were built at the rear of the KDYS offices in recent months.

The new premises was officially opened on Monday night with former Ireland soccer manager, Eoin Hand, addressing the gathering about the benefits of physical activity and recreation.

"It gives us more space and more privacy. We now have our own place to deal with clients," said Ger. "We are certainly seeing more people in the current economic climate and services like ours will continue to be essential into the future."

This week is Drugs Week in Kerry and a conference on addiction issues, which is open to the public, will be held at the Hotel Europe in Killarney tonight (Thursday) at 7pm.

Among the guest speakers will be former Kerry footballer, Pat Spillane.