A man who has had a lengthy involvement working with the challenges that individuals, families and communities face from addiction has said that a wider discussion needs to take place about addressing the wide range of issues involved.
South armagh man Pat McGinn who recently retired after many years from his front line work association with Sr Consilio and Cuan Mhuire Addiction Centres which are situated throughout Ireland, has said that there appears to be an acceptance by many in society that the use and growing misuse of alcohol and drugs and the death and destruction culture associated with it, is normal.
He stated,
“The young people I talk to tell me that a line of cocaine with a glass of wine on Saturday night is an ordinary sort of thing – and they certainly don’t think of the potential devastation that can be wreaked on individuals, their families or communities or the monies gains by drug cartels and their dealers”
said Pat who will be celebrating his 34th year in recovery from his own addiction by raising funds for the Cuan Mhuire Charity when he runs the world famous Great North Run Half Marathon in Newcastle England on Sunday the 7th September.
He continued,
“I remember asking a class of Primary School questions about when people took alcohol and the vast majority of the class agreed with ‘at first Holy Communion’ which was one answer given.
I recently watched a young boy of no more than 13 or 14 years dropping off a drug sale to adults. He was on an electric scooter, took no money, just dropped off the ‘stuff’ to the buyers who were having a coffee whilst waiting on their package. They probably paid their dealer contact by card. I should have been shocked, I wasn’t, no more that when I used see a group of young people heading down to a local drinking den at home known as the ‘arches’ with their carry out bag, and to be fair we seem to have a society that is not shocked either”.
Pat says that there is no one fix solution for the issues involved.
“Addiction is a highly controversial word that tends to stir up debate: ask a group of people be they Health Professionals or ordinary community members their opinion on the matter and you’ll wind up with many contrasting answers.
But despite differing opinions, people are finally talking about addiction instead of keeping it in the shadows. Addiction is a major public health crisis, and it needs to be talked about. The more we discuss it, the more awareness we create. And the more awareness we create, the more likely it is that we can stop what I really believe is society’s continued sleepwalk into the nightmare and living hell of addiction”.
The Camlough man urged,
“Their has to be an open, informed and honest discussion about tackling the issue, caring for those in addiction, supporting the families and communities impacted. ,
Educating our young people from an early stage in their lives about what can go wrong if the mind or mood altering substance they are taking starts to ‘cost them more than the price of it’, and letting them know there is help is a key element of any solution”.
He added,
“We also need to involved legislative authorities, policy makers, and Crime Enforcement Agencies. There is a growing debate about the legalisation of drugs like cannabis. On a recent visit to California which has legalised cannabis for medical and social use, I discussed the issue with many such as social users, recovering addicts, law enforcement and medical practitioners. The discussion needs to take place over here, and it needs to be informed open and honest”.
Concluding Pat talked of his gratitude for people like Sr Consilio and those who for years operated at the ‘front line’ of addiction when society itself through fear, stigma or misunderstanding, turned the other way.
“We should be grateful to the many Health Professionals, Voluntary & Community Agencies, Charities and Fellowships who each play their part in tackling the scourge of addiction and the hurt and pain it brings to those impacted by it.
Sr. Consilio as a young nun in 1966 decided that she would do something for her fellow human being. She and her small team of carers stepped out in great faith, and despite all the challenges faced, they not only quietly and professionally nursed and cared for people in addiction from throughout Ireland but ensured that a light would be shone on the issue of alcoholism and the stigma attached.
More than ever we need that same type of love care and commitment today”.
On Saturday the 30th of August Pat and what he describes as his team of ‘little helpers’ Will be holding an all day Bucket Collection in Camlough village as part of his Great North Run Fundraising for Cuan Mhuire.
For further in formation about the services offered at Cuan Mhuire please visit www.cuanmhuire.ie
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