Limerick GP issues warning over drug exposure in children
‘A matter of if, rather than when, 13-year-olds are offered illegal substances
A LIMERICK GP has warned it’s a matter of “if” rather than “when” 13 and 14-year-olds are “exposed to drugs”.
And a city garda believes children may be offered illegal substances “on their first day in first year” of secondary school.
Dr David Hannon and Garda Richard Collins were speaking after one of the first anti-drugs talks given to national school students in Limerick.
Limerick-Shannon Rotary Club has always given talks on the dangers of drugs to secondary school students locally.
But their president Noreen Stokes-O’Mara wanted to bring these talks to pupils before they leave primary school.
She joined Dr Hannon and gardai at Monaleen National School to address students and parents.
A similar event took place at Coolcappa National School.
Ms Stokes-O’Mara said it’s important children have knowledge and understanding before they go to secondary school.
“We want to get children to understand what addiction is, and how it can ruin their lives. It’s about them knowing they shouldn’t share other people’s vapes. They shouldn’t vape at all really. Yoiu shouldn’t drink from another person’s bottle as you don’t know what is in it,” explained the club president.
Garda Collins, who is attached to Henry Street station said: “We are trying to instill a bit more awareness and enable children to make the right choices around drugs.”
“They may be offered drugs on their first day in first year. It’s all ahead of them, and it’s a big risk. It takes over and can ruin people’s lives.”
Dr Hannon says in his professional life, he helps youngsters who have suffered the consequences of taking drugs.
“I’m talking about teenagers as young as 14, 15 and 16,” he added.
“Research has shown that, the earlier we talk to children about this, the outcome is the less likely they are to start taking drugs,” said the GP.
Dr Hannon and Ms Stokes O’Mara, both long-time Rotarians, want to bring the talks to other national schools across Limerick in order to prepare children for when they enter second level.
Previously, the Rotary Club would have addressed students at fourth year in secondary school.
“It’s a big problem. Once they change over to secondary school, become 13 or 14, it’s not a matter of if they are exposed to drugs, it’s when they are exposed to drugs. It’s an unfortunate part of modern life,” Dr Hannon said.
One of life’s biggest choices comes at around this age, he added, saying: “Starting off, not starting drugs is probably the biggest decision they will make.”
Monaleen NS principal Ian Madigan said it’s important the “taboo” around drugs is removed.
“We want children forewarned with the information so they can go to secondary school next year and have the right language and the confidence to say no if they need to at the right time,” he said.
The message to parents, Ms Stokes-O'Mara added, is to ensure they have a good relationship with their children so they feel comfortable reaching out if they run into trouble.
"So they will come to you if they take drugs or drink alcohol. Build the trust and have them know they can always ring home. When I was a young girl, I knew no matter what I did, I could always ring home, and I think it's important we get that across," she said.
For more information on the Rotary programme and their club meetings each Monday, please email [email protected]