Drug and alcohol support services to host information event

People living in the Northern area are invited to attend an information event about drugs and alcohol support services available throughout area.

The public information event will be held in Coleraine on Friday 21 February and a number of organisations will take part.

The event is being organised by the Voluntary and Community Sector Network (VCSN) and supported and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Staff and volunteers from drug and alcohol support organisations will be available to answer questions on all aspects of their work including reducing harm related to drugs and alcohol.

Jayne McConaghie, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer with the PHA, said: “The Public Health Agency works in partnership with local community and voluntary organisations on a daily basis to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

“This walk-in event is for everyone with an interest or need for information on local drug and alcohol support services.

“We would encourage those who don’t usually come to these events to attend and get the information they need. People can spend as long or as short a time as they wish browsing, there is no need to talk to anyone, but service providers are there, if needed. I would also recommend this event to anyone who is affected by or works with drugs and alcohol issues.”

Eugene O’ Goan, Project Coordinator with Mid Ulster based Teenagers Involved in Protecting Selves against Alcohol (TIPSA) and the current Chairman of VCSN, said:  “This event gives those interested in drug- or alcohol-related issues the opportunity to learn about all the services that are available across the Northern Trust area.”

The event will be held at the Lodge Hotel between 10am and 1pm and parking is available. Registration is not required.

For further information on alcohol visit: www.knowyourlimits.info

For tips on talking to your child about alcohol, go to: www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/you-your-child-and-alcohol