Trip gives families opportunity to get away from any struggles
By Mary Dennehy
A NUMBER of Tallaght families who have been impacted on by substance misuse in the home enjoyed a week-long holiday to Trabolgan before the school term started back.
Organised by JADD (Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency), some 19 families headed off to Cork for some respite and to reconnect in a fun environment.
Families enjoying the trip to Trabologan
Now in its seventh year, the holiday is for families who have been impacted on by substance misuse in some way, and can, for example, include a family where a grandparent is caring for their grandchildren or where a parent has linked in with services and is drug-free.
Niamh Guerrine, Senior Project Worker at JADD, told The Echo: “It’s a great week.
“It gives parents the opportunities to get away from any struggles within the home or community and gives the kids an opportunity to have a holiday and some fun.
“They can also connect with their parents and enjoy spending time with each other.
“Parents also get the chance to build new relationships with people and the kids make new friends.”
This year, JADD added a new aspect to the project, whereby teenagers, who are linked in with services, go to Trabologan as young leaders.
“The young people are mainly between the ages of 14 and 16 years and they help mind the kids, set up the sports activities etc,” Niamh said.
“The responsibility and independence is great for them.”
The trip to Trabologan is supported by the Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF), business donations and fundraising.
For further details on local drug projects and services visit http://www.tallaghtdatf.ie/
