Dangers of drug abuse highlighted

Campaign highlights dangers of drug abuse

A drugs education campaign aimed specifically at students has been launched in Northern Ireland.

Thousands of booklets and posters highlighting the dangers of drug abuse have been produced for distribution in universities and colleges.

Central to the campaign by the National Union of Students-Union of Students in Ireland, is the distribution of 25,000 copies of a comprehensive student "survival guide" to drugs.

We hope this campaign will minimise the dangers associated with substance abuse

Brian Slevin
NUS-USI

The 42-page, pocket-sized booklet details the highs and lows associated with 14 different types of drugs and the health and legal consequences of drug abuse.

Brian Slevin, NUS-USI convenor, said the campaign was designed to inform students of the real dangers involved in drugs use.

"Whilst we do not condone the use of drugs, we, nevertheless, realise that many students choose to do so," he said.

"We hope this campaign will minimise the dangers associated with substance abuse."

The extent of drug usage in the province was emphasised by a study carried out by the Health Promotion Agency.

Culture

It revealed that just over one in three people between the ages of 18 and 30 have taken drugs and 18% of young adults regularly used drugs in Northern Ireland.

Jo Daykin, Northern Ireland drugs and alcohol strategy co-ordinator, who is supporting the campaign, said the campaign was designed to raise awareness of drugs.

"We all know that the use of illicit drugs among young people is becoming far too commonplace, with many young people viewing illicit drugs as a normal part of their culture," she said.

"The launch of the student booklet signals the beginning of a campaign designed to raise awareness among students about the dangers of drug taking."

She said the initiatives were "extremely important" because they balanced the misinformation that young people often received.