|
|
|
A new effort to help families deal with East Belfast's drug menace has been launched by a local Presbyterian Church. Bloomfield Community Initiatives, started by members of Bloomfield Presbyterian congregation, will be organising a series of regular events for the general public over the next year.
Their first event will be a Drugs Information Evening arranged for Tuesday 8th February 8pm in Elmgrove Primary School, Beersbridge Road. The meeting is designed to equip parents or carers in the Bloomfield and Beersbridge Road districts who are increasingly concerned about the prevalence of drug abuse. It will include details on the reasons why children take drugs and the warning signs to watch out for.
The event, which is open to all adults, has been organised in conjunction with Insight, the Presbyterian Church's drugs information service based at North Street, Belfast. Since it's official opening last year, Insight has been an invaluable advice centre for members of the public who wish to find out more about the drug problem. A full time project worker, Louise Kane, is funded by the Presbyterian Church Board of Social Witness and is experienced in youth work. Parents and carers attending next Tuesday night in Elmgrove School will get an opportunity to discuss concerns with Louise.
Rev Mervyn Gibson is the Assistant Minister of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church. He comments:
"The potential for children and young people to become involved in the drug scene is increasing, as drug usage rises dramatically within Northern Ireland. Those being targeted by the dealers as drug users are becoming younger, as dealers attempt to create markets for their trade. No community in Belfast is immune form this evil trade. An evening being informed, could prevent a lifetime of heartache."
Issued by Martin McNeely, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
PCI Home . . . Press Office . . . News Archive