Community Centre is declared drug free zone
By Mary Dennehy
THE Killinarden Community Centre has been declared a drug free zone, after staff and young people united to take a stand against drug activity in the area - and to create a colourful mural on the centre’s wall.
As reported in The Echo, the Killinarden Community Centre recently closed the gates to its car park, in a statement against recent drug activity in the immediate environs of the centre.
The closure of the car park gates was a visual statement to raise awareness, start conversation and, with the support of young people from the area, take positive steps towards declaring the community centre a safe and drug free zone.
Recently, young people gathered in the centre and working alongside staff came up with ideas for art work – alongside taking part in a soccer tournament.
Adults were also invited to attend the centre for a planting workshop.
Speaking with The Echo, centre manager Hilda Hamilton said: “We have the gates back open this week and we believe that it helped to raise awareness and had a positive impact.
“We had a planting workshop out the front last week and people were stopping asking why the gates were locked.
Bring the community together
“Closing the gates got people talking, it started conversation, and I think it did bring the community together.”
She added: “It was important to include young people and give them the chance to take a stand against negative behaviour in their community.
“We will monitor the situation, and see if our stand will have an impact on drug activity in the environs of the community centre.
“The centre should be a safe place to come and socialise and we have a duty of care to provide that safe place.”
