The Mullingar Drugs Network (MDN ), in partnership with the emergency services, will conduct a two-day ‘Blue Light Day’ promotion next Wednesday and Thursday December 8 and 9 to raise awareness about drug use and abuse.
The aim of this promotion is to bring a greater awareness of the harmful effects of the use and effects of legal and illegal substances, and to highlight the support services and their role in the community.
The Gardai, ambulance, and fire services, with support from the road safety officer of Westmeath County Council, will be stationed in the Market Square from Wednesday morning December 8 for the full day.
With an ambulance, a crashed car, and a Garda car, members of Mullingar Drugs Network along with the emergency services will conduct an ‘open door’ to meet and greet the public, answer questions, and promote a team spirit response to the needs of the community in dealing with drugs.
On Thursday December 9, from 9am to 4pm, local and rural schools are being invited to attend an information day on substance misuse and drug driving, in conjunction with representatives of the Mullingar Drugs Network, in the Social Services Centre, Bishopsgate Street.
Any of the schools whose students attend may also wish to avail of a visit to the military museum in Columb Barracks Mullingar.
On the Thursday evening an information night for the public will be held at the Social Services Centre for parents and children; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Guest speakers on the night are as follows: Siobhan Maher, Family Support Network, on ‘The effects of substance misuse on the family’; Dr Sean O’Domhnaill, consultant psychiatrist, on ‘The effects of substances on the mind’; Dr Richard Lynch, A&E consultant, on ‘The effects of substances in car accidents’; and Matthew Halligan, PRO of the MDN on ‘An Overview of the MDN’.
