The large attendance at a Drug Awareness evening on the island heard that drugs are widely available in Achill and are being taken mostly at weekends. It is up to the local community to be vigilant and nip the problem in the bud before it becomes a bigger issue, they were advised.

Local GP Dr Edward King (pictured) said that there definitely is a drug problem in Achill and he has seen young people high at weekends and in his surgery.

“The age group of people involved in substance abuse is coming down all the time and it is right on our doorstep. There is a real problem with cannabis and ecstasy abuse at weekends and it will continue to be a problem unless something is done about it. The damage caused by cannabis is worrying given that the brain does not fully develop until a person is about 20 years of age and it has led to an increase in schizophrenia. Services need to be developed and education has to play a key part in tackling the problem,” he said.

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