Group’s new training could save many lives
THE death rate from drug use in Ireland is higher than suicides and road traffic collisions put together, but one local group is working on a new type of training which, if it takes off in the mainstream, could save many lives.
Clondalkin-based drug support services Neart Le Cheile and Service Users Developing Solidarity (SUDS), will this week, be completing Train the Trainer Naloxone training, in an effort to further equip themselves with knowledge and tools to try and reduce the lives lost through overdose.
In layman terms, this could lead to a form of EpiPen, where someone overdosing could be administered an opiod blocking shot, potentially saving a life.
Latest health statistics from 2017 (Covid has further delayed 2018/19 stats), indicated a total of 786 people died from a drug related death with 376 of these a direct result of an overdose.
Despite this, there has been little in the way of a permanent site where people can go to mourn loved ones lost to drugs.
However, on Tuesday evening in Neilstown, Neart Le Cheile and advocacy group SUDS, collaborated with Fr Hugh Kavanagh of Neilstown Parish, to plant a tree in the grounds of St Peter Apostle Church.
The event was held to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, which takes place on August 31 every year.
It was a small but uplifting ceremony, providing an opportunity for family and friends to remember loved ones lost to the scourge of drugs.
Clondalkin man Eoin Kelly, a service user at Neart Le Cheile, spoke passionately about his own experience, talking of his own loss and abuse, the loss of his brother, and the pain associated with drugs.
However, his talk verged more towards the positive aspects of healing and moving forward, citing the English meaning of Neart Le Cheile (strength together), as a crucial step in recovery.
Yvonne Mullen, who works with SUDS group, Neart Le Cheile, said a key part of their campaign this year is in raising awareness of the number of drug and support services in Clondalkin and combating the stigma associated with drug use.
Leaflets containing useful information on the signs/symptoms of overdose and what to do in the event of overdose have been distributed throughout the community.
Ms Mullen said the delay in the publication of up to date drug related statistics, is a challenge for services.
“The data always takes so long, it is fed in from a number of sources, local drug support services, gardai, but the delay makes it more difficult for services to respond and act on the evidence.”
However, the Neilstown services say the situation is better now than in recent years with more awareness in relation to drug overdose, and their training this week, is their next step in the response to a longstanding issue in local communities.
