#MindYourselfKid Midwest Regional Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Week 2014

Pictured Above: Daniel Butler, Cora Dayle, Susie Cronin at the Crescent Shopping Centre.

Susie Cronin, Annmarie Coughlan and Orla Coughlan taking part in the #MindYourselfKid campaign.

#Mindyourselfkid was a concept developed as part of the Midwest Regional Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Week 2014 by a number of Limerick based community organisations including Southill Area Centre, Southside Deps, Westend Youth Centre and Garryowen CDP. The aim of this awareness week is to promote “Stay drugs and alcohol aware” by keeping informed of current issues in communities, and by challenging society to identify and explore alternative social outlets for young people, families and communities which are less likely to involve alcohol or drug consumption.

The Limerick organisations teamed up with the objective of providing the public with information about positive mental health in relation to drugs and alcohol on the run up to Christmas. Cora Ryan, a Community Youth Worker at Southill Area Centre tells us, “this campaign provides a valuable opportunity to highlight the comprehensive range of supports and services available to young people, particularly around prevention; through education and information initiatives and by encouraging discussion and engagement with young people, their families and the wider community.” The group had an information stand at the Crescent shopping centre where they handed out cards with simple and clear information on steps that a person can take to be more mindful on positive mental health issues.

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The Mid West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum (formerly Task Force), was established under the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, and continues under the Interim Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 to research, develop, implement and monitor a co-ordinated response to substance misuse related issues in the Mid West (counties Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary & Limerick City), based on evidence of what is effective. For the duration of the week, events took place across the region encompassing talks, film presentations, movie screenings, information sessions, and training aimed at parents, young people and communities.

For more information you can email Cora Doyle at [email protected].
Or check out the Southill Area Centre website here!

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