Now in its third year, The Western Regional Drugs Task Force (WRDTF ) Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Week is living up to expectations to be another highly successful event of awareness-raising and education activities on alcohol and other drugs. An initiative of the WRDTF in partnership with South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC ) and the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board, the western regional Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week will be held from Monday to Friday November 11-16.
The aim of the week is to increase awareness of drug and alcohol related issues in the region, promote harm reduction and highlight support services available to people in Mayo, Galway and Roscommon.
Voluntary and community organisations, and other strategic stakeholders across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon have aligned their events/activities with the chosen themes for this year, Alcohol in the Home; Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medication; Social Media and Alcohol; Underage Drinking; Cannabis in order to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive consumption of alcohol and the misuse of other drugs and to highlight drug and alcohol support services to people in the region. Groups who have signed up for events have been asked to develop innovative ways to raise awareness about the chosen themes. Going on past years this should be another interesting week.
The week will commence with a seminar “Home Truths; The Culture of Alcohol in our Homes” on Monday 11th November at 11am in the Clayton Hotel, Galway. The event will be hosted by Mr Liam Horan and speakers on the day will include Dr Mark Garavan, Lecturer in Social Studies, GMIT, Castlebar; Dr Ann Hope, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, and Ms Suzanne Costello, newly appointed CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.
