A new group to support families dealing with drug and alcohol abuse has been set-up in Mayo.
The Mayo Drug and Alcohol Family Support Group will hold its first meeting on January 30 in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, from 7.30 to 9 pm.
According to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System, over 150 people in Mayo sought the support of drug and alcohol treatment services in 2012.
“This in turn means that 150 families at least were living with the trauma of substance use,” according to Debbie McDonagh, family support training and development worker for Mayo.
She said that figure is likely to be “vastly underestimated because of the stigma and uncertainty often attached to such issues.”
“While drug use is rising across Mayo, a report published in 2011 found that the county has a particularly tragic relationship with alcohol. It came out worst in Ireland in alcohol related deaths and deaths among people who were alcohol dependent,” she added.
The new Mayo Drug and Alcohol Family Support Group is supported by the Western Region Drugs Task Force (WRDTF ) and follows recommendations of the national and regional drug strategy.
