An Athlone community response to drug abuse

Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards in association with Westmeath County Council

Social Inclusion Award finalist: Athlone Drug Awareness Group

In its 30-year-long existence, the Athlone Drug Awareness Group (ADAG) has become a key support system for individuals, families, and the wider community in reducing the impact of drug and alcohol misuse in the town.

For many, especially astray youth and concerned parents, the ADAG is a beacon of hope.

ADAG works a multi-pronged approach from awareness campaigns, to lobbying the government for legislative changes, to providing one-on-one advice and help to concerned parents whose child is using drugs, and supporting recovery programmes for those with substance misuse problems.

The group's chairperson, Frankie Keena, recounted the time when head shops created mayhem during their peak in 2010s. “We were aware of some secondary level students who entered these shops to buy various substances over the counter, in turn they rapidly became addicted to these products,” he said.

“Our group was extremely active in lobbying to get these head shops closed with protests outside Leinster House, and organising of a specific public meeting on the matter. Over 250 people attended this meeting, and the strong message from the floor was delivered to get these shops closed,” he detailed.

The head shops of yesteryear have closed, but the drug problem persists, which makes ADAG's work even more important.

“While substances such as cannabis, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, LSD are still widely available, products like crystal meth, fentanyl etc. can be bought on the street. In addition to these, we now have vape shops selling vapes with HHC (a semi-synthetic cannabinoid) in them.

"There were also edible jelly sweets with attractive packaging containing such substances, sold over the counter. We received numerous calls from concerned parents whose teenagers were regularly visiting these shops."

Again the ADAG lobbied Government Ministers, and HSE, and Frankie even raised the matter in the county council, bringing a pack of the jelly sweets to show how easily substance abuse can make inroads into the lives of growing children.

“We are delighted that the Government, earlier this year, included this HHC product as a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act,” Frankie added.

He believes there is much to be done in terms of enforcement, and ADAG will continue to raise its voice and do everything in its power to safeguard the Athlone community from drugs.

The Social Inclusion Award finalists are Athlone Drug Awareness Group, Athlone Meals on Wheels and Infinity Friends.

The Social Inclusion award is sponsored by Westmeath County Council.