SERC drugs roadshow

SERC drugs roadshow

2 November 2016

THE South Eastern Regional College’s Downpatrick campus hosted a recent  roadshow outlining the dangers of taking drugs and alcohol. 

Over 500 students from the campus, St Mary’s High School, De La Salle High, St Patrick’s Grammar, Down High and Blackwater Integrated College took part in the event.

The roadshow took place after recent news reports highlighted how taking drugs and alcohol is becoming prevalent in young people and recently resulted in the death of some teenagers in Belfast.  

One of the main drugs currently being taken is Lyrica, otherwise known as ‘Bud’ or ‘Budweisers, which is a prescribed drug for epilepsy and anxiety disorder. 

The roadshow consisted of a play by the C21 Theatre Company which highlighted the dangers of taking alcohol, Lyrica and Ecstasy, highlighting how easy it is to get involved in anti-social behaviour while out drinking. 

Officials from the YMCA and PSNI were on hand to provide advice to the students about where to get help and the implications of ending up with a criminal record for drug related offences. Two young people from the Pop up Art Programme in Downpatrick spoke about their experience with drugs and alcohol, the situations they found themselves in and their road to recovery.

Police and Community Safety chairman, Brian Quinn, said so many young people are taking chances with mixing drugs and alcohol. 

“These drugs are so readily available either on the streets or online and their dangers are not always known, thus resulting in some fatalities. The recent roadshow was very effective in not only showing what can happen when taking these types of cocktails, but also where young people can get support.”

Further information about the roadshow or any other Policing and Community Safety Partnership projects is available by contacting (028) 44610857 or online at pcsp.nmandd.org.