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25,000 beermats to carry anti-drugs message By Christine Allen A total of 25,000 beer mats are to be distributed to pubs and clubs in Listowel and Ballybunion this week as part of a new campaign warning against the dangers of drug use. The beer mats give the facts about dangers in using heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis as well as the dangers of alcohol abuse on the front. On the back, they feature the contact numbers for the Listowel drugs project and useful services.
Ger Lowe is the North Kerry and Listowel Community Drugs Worker and said that this campaign will hit the bar counters in time for the “party season”. “This will communicate directly to young people and their families where they are most at risk of misusing drugs and alcohol - in the pub or club,” he said. Focusing on the harmful effects of each drug as well as offering tips on the safe consumption of alcohol, the beer mats are also aimed at concerned family members. “Parents, friends and family of people misusing drink and drugs can be reached through this too,” said Ger.
First The campaign was developed by the HSE Health Promotion Department in Kerry and is the first of its kind in the county, having been successful in Youghal, Co Cork. Having completed a HSE alcohol awareness training session last October, participating publicans called for the more awareness information to be available in bars and clubs. “The publicans involved in promoting this campaign now have access to information on professionals from alcohol and drug agencies,” said Ger. He said that the project involved a number of agencies including the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force and Listowel and North Kerry Community Based Drugs Initiative. It also involved the Listowel Garda Youth Diversion Project, HSE South, LINK, the leaving cert students of the Listowel Community College and local publicans.
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