The chairperson of the Assembly Health Committee has called for an Addiction Taskforce to be set in the North West to tackle issues surrounding those battling drug and alcohol addictions in Derry.
Missing: Andrew Quigley.
Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin was speaking as the search for missing 19-year-old Andrew Quigley enters its 13th day.
The Galliagh teenager has not been seen since leaving a friend’s birthday party in the early hours of Saturday week last. Some of his personal items were found later than day on the Foyle Bridge.
His heartbroken mother Colette has revealed Andrew – who was battling drug and alcohol problems – was refused help to combat his addictions, being told it would only be available if he quit his habits.
Other families have been telling of similar experiences on the Facebook page “Setting up a detox centre in Derry” while young people have claimed obtaining drugs in the city was “easier than buying a bar of chocolate.”
Now, Health Committee chairperson, Derry Sinn Fein MLA, Maeve McLaughlin, has called for a taskforce to be set up to tackle what she described as “a number of issues that have been making headlines in recent weeks.”
She said: “Although not a recent phenomenon, recent events in our city have brought to the fore the reality of the devastation that drug and alcohol addiction and substance misuse has had on our communities.
“And those families directly affected by this addiction and misuse need to be reassured that we are listening and responding to their pleas for help.
“While the need for sensitivity is ever present, the last thing we should do is to proceed on the basis of the last tragedy. That is why I am calling for the establishment of a North West Addiction Task Force.
Heartbroken: Colette Quigley.
“While understandable, the use of recent tragic events to suggest that there are no facilities or that nothing is being done is unfair to the many excellent groups and organisations across the statutory and community sectors providing essential services.
“It can also contribute to the sense of desperation in which some of the most vulnerable people find themselves. This is not to say that more does not need to be done. But while organisations such as HURT, DIVERT, Foyle Search and Rescue, Northlands Centre, White Oaks and others need to be supported they are often working in isolation, thus reducing their effectiveness.
“I recognise that addiction, substance misuse, associated problems and resultant tragic circumstances are not the sole responsibility of the Health Services to address and that is why I am suggesting the formation of a Taskforce.
“We have also raised the issue with Derry City Council, EU Unit, regarding the possibility of European funding to assist these groups in their work on behalf of the community.”
Ms McLaughlin said a taskforce would bring together, families, community and voluntary sector, PSNI/Gardaí, Health Trust/HSE, addiction teams/Public Health Authority and other relevant bodies to develop a North West proposal/lobby for dedicated facilities.
Health Committee chairperson Maeve McLaughlin
She added: “An obvious first task would be to initiate a full audit of existing services to ascertain where the gaps are.”
Ms McLaughlin revealed she is to meet with the addiction team from the Western Trust to “impress on them” the detrimental effect the closing of facilities in Omagh would have.
She concluded: “Hopefully, coming out of this meeting there will be a clearer view of what direction the on-going consultation process is pointing.”
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