Recent findings have revealed that Mayo has the highest number of alcohol related deaths in the country, a startling, bleak figure, which shows the misuse of alcohol in the county and the need to address our society’s issue with alcohol. Locally, support and leadership is needed to make this happen and through the work of the Western Region Drugs Task Force, via their community liaison worker, help and advice is at hand.
Pat Conway, from Westport, has been in the role of community liaison worker since January of this year. Pat is emplyed by the local integrated development company, South West Mayo Development Company, which is located in Balla. Pat assists communities in Mayo and North Roscommon in dealing with alcohol or drug issues in their communities.
Pat explains that the WRDTF was established in May 2003 as one of the key recommendations of the National Drugs Strategy. It was established to research, develop and implement, using a partnership approach, a co-ordinated, regionally appropriate response to substance misuse. “Our overall aim is to significantly reduce the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.” Their objectives are to develop an integrated and well managed response to drug and alcohol problems, propose a range of solutions and service interventions.
Examining the role alcohol plays in our society
“Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance in the western region”, comments Pat. He says that the role which alcohol plays in our society is very harmful, yet we may not see it as an addiction. “Alcohol and our culture are tied in together”, as all major events in our lives, from christenings to funerals to football games, may have alcohol tied to the event, as drinking has become the norm for how we socialise. “We don’t view alcohol as a substance or a major issue”, however it is our biggest problem as the Irish drink in a harmful way, way above our weekly recommended units and our level of binge drinking is three times above the EU average.
When we talk about drug/alcohol misuse, we immediately focus attention on our young people. In the most recent survey of drinking among European 15- and 16-year-olds, more Irish girls (44 per cent ) than boys (42 per cent ) reported binge-drinking in the last month (2007 ESPAD survey ). Over half reported being drunk at least once by the age of 16. However, it is not just a young person’s issue. It is a potential issue for all sectors of our society. Between 61,000 and 104,000 children aged under 15 in Ireland are estimated to be living with parents who misuse alcohol.
Over half of all Irish drinkers have a harmful pattern of drinking, that is four in 10 women and seven in 10 men who drink. A higher proportion of Irish women drink compared with women in other European countries (77 per cent compared to 68 per cent ). The average amount of alcohol consumed by every person in the country aged 15 plus, was 12.4 litres of pure alcohol in 2008. This amounts to 490 pints or 129 bottles of wine or 46 bottles of vodka per adult. Considering these statistics, alongside the fact that one in five adults in Ireland do not drink alcohol, it means that those who do drink are consuming much more than consumption statistics show.
Pat says that alcohol can often be a “gateway drug” and “multiple drug use is on the rise in the west of Ireland”. Pat explains this could be through mixing alcohol with other medications, such as over the counter medications, with the use of minor tranquillisers and sedatives in the west of Ireland being excessive.
A report carried out by the WRDTF, showed that 89,721 individuals in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon were prescribed tranquilisers and sedatives in the seven-year period from 2000 to 2007. Of these, 58 per cent were female and 42 per cent were male. Approximately 54 per cent were over the age of 65 while 80 per cent were in the possession of a medical card. This research would indicate that women, older people and people on low incomes are among the groups most likely to be using prescription drugs.
As for the use of cannabis, a ESPAD report conducted in 2007, which gave an overview of cannabis use among young Irish people, showed that seven per cent of 13-year-olds and 20 per cent of 16-year-olds had tried hash.
Working with communities
The rationale for the community liaison post comes from the community development process, which is seen as an effective mechanism to develop local initiatives in tackling substance abuse. As Pat explains, this is done by being a central source of information on where people can get support, education and training at a local level. Basically, as a community liaison officer, Pat assists those who are not sure how to address any alcohol or drugs issue in their community.
In November Pat, alongside his colleagues at the WRDTF, will hold a major event in Mayo — a drug and alcohol awareness week. Although the full schedule is not complete yet, Pat says that it will feature training workshops, various community initiatives, a parents’ awareness evening and a seminar, which will be the main event.
Alongside organising this, Pat is also busy preparing a “tool-kit” for local people, which will be a documented piece of work which will help to engage communities through a targeted intervention of alcohol and drug issues in their locality. It is hoped that this document will be launched by the end of the year.
Pat believes that the most important element of his job is “supporting local communities responses to drug/alcohol issues” and by “strengthening communities, you are strengthening individuals”.
If you would like to contact
Pat call: 087 740 0011.
Support services in Mayo
WRDTF education support worker
Gillian Conway 086 781 4779
HSE addiction counselling services
Castlebar 094 902 1733
Ballina 096 20300
Swinford 094 52715
Ballinrobe 094 954 1615
HSE drug service west
096 60060/094 902 0430
Hope House
094 925 6888
