Parents unite in war on drugs

The Parents Associations from four second level colleges in Cavan Town have banded together to produce a drug awareness information leaflet, which will be distributed to parents of students in the affiliated schools in the coming days.
'Cavan Parents Associations United’ takes in Loreto College, the Royal School, Breifne College and St Patrick’s College with some 2,500 students between them.
In deciding what information to include on the leaflet, the working committee liaised with the gardaí in their research. They established that the most frequently used drugs in Cavan at this time are Cannabis and Cannabinoids and Ecstasy tablets.
The principal of Loreto College, Angela McGarvey, acted as facilitator for the project with the co-operation of her fellow principals John Crotty, Breifne College; Christopher Rowley, St Patrick’s College and Edward Lindsay, The Royal School.
They jointly extended their thanks to the Gardaí and the Cavan Drug and Alcohol Service (Marina Harten) for their support and guidance in producing the information leaflet.
Chairperson of the Parents Association in Loreto College, Ann Marie Sexton, told The Anglo-Celt of the drug threat to Cavan teens: “It is better to face them (problems) head-on, as opposed to pretending it is not there.”
Paul Connolly and Patricia Malone, both from the Parents Association at Breifne College also praised the information drive.
“It shows a bit of solidarity, when associations come together like this to inform parents, and the leaflet also carries the tell tale signs to watch out with your teenager,” said Mr Connolly.
While saying that parents are aware of the threat of drugs, Mr Connolly feels that there is “still a bit of naivety out there” and is hopeful that the leaflets will help parents.

Peer pressure
Eileen Burke Smyth from St Patrick’s College Parents Association said that peer pressure is one area that parents need to be aware of. “Young people want to be cool and do what they think everyone else is doing. So, first of all it is very important that parents are aware of the dangers and that they impart that knowledge to their teenagers,” she said.
“The very fact that we are sending out this leaflet to every family, it might form the basis of a discussion within the family.
“The fact that Cavan is on the leaflet – it is local information - and it will resonate more with them,” continued Ms Burke Smyth.
Information is also included on the leaflet as to where to seek further advice and support.

Education is key
Carole Clarke from the Royal School Parents Association said:
“Education is key with this. It will be valuable if it sparks off a discussion with the teenager when this leaflet arrives through the post. Our eyes were opened when the gardaí spoke to us.”
She added: “It is nice that young people are confident, but they need to know the dangers.”