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One in three
young adults in Northern Ireland has taken drugs
One in three
18-30 year olds in Northern Ireland has taken drugs, one in
four has taken them more than once and almost a fifth are
currently using drugs according to new research from the Health
Promotion Agency.
These figures
were highlighted during the launch of a new poster
advertising campaign focusing on reducing the health
risks associated with drug taking. Speaking at the launch
Rob Phipps, Regional Health Promotion Manager for Drugs with
the Health Promotion Agency said: "Research carried out on
the target age group showed that over half of those taking
drugs knew little or not enough about drugs and almost 90%
of respondents said there was a real need for a public information
campaign targeting this age group."
The campaign
features a series of ten posters that are placed in the toilet
areas of pubs and nightclubs popular with this age group.
Rob continued: "The decision to display the posters in pubs
and clubs was guided by research which showed that a large
proportion of this age group go regularly to these venues
and many of those interviewed as part of this research felt
posters in the toilet areas would be a good way to reach them
with information about drugs."
The posters
provide information about specific drugs and their effects
as well as safety information such as how to keep your body
hydrated if taking Ecstasy, what can happen when you mix alcohol
with other drugs, and attention has also been placed on the
issue of spiking drugs and date rape.
Rob concluded:
"We know that a significant number of young adults in Northern
Ireland are taking drugs on a regular basis, and we are realistic
that many may choose to continue to do so. This poster campaign
is targeted at these young adults in an effort to inform them
of the real risks involved in such use and also to minimise
the harm that may result if they do choose to continue to
take drugs."
All posters in
the series promote the National Drugs Helpline: 0800 776600.
A dispenser with handy credit card size leaflets
will be attached to some of the posters which will go on display
in over 100 pubs and clubs throughout Northern Ireland over
the next week.
END
Notes
to the editor: This initiative is part of the Northern
Ireland Drugs Campaign and will support the work of the four
Drugs Coordination Teams *(DCTs)
with local Councils and licensed premises in relation to drugs.
*
On 18 May 2001, the role of the DCTs changed following an
announcement
by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
that the Northern Ireland drugs and alcohol strategies were
to be jointly implemented.
Contact details
for the four Drugs and Alcohol Coordination Teams can be found
Here.
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