ILLEGAL drugs have been circulating in secondary and grammar schools here.
The ‘Fermanagh Herald’ understands that in the past few weeks, a number of students within the county have been suspended from school because of drug-related issues.
Police said that they are working with schools here to curb the issue, but acknowledged that it can be difficult to identify.
“We are aware that people have been suspended from schools for this kind of activity,” admitted Police Inspector Roy Robinson this week.
Students, both those selling and those in possession of illegal drugs within the confines of a school boundary, have been disciplined in the last number of weeks.
Inspector Robinson acknowledged that issues surrounding drugs have been prevalent in secondary and grammar schools, within the county for several years – and he warned:
“There are all sorts of unscrupulous individuals out there prepared to pedal these activities.
“People think that they’ll make money. It’s not confined to one school, we have been aware of this type of activity in other schools.”
He went on: “It’s important that we work closely with the schools to find out where people are getting these drugs.”
And Inspector Robinson warned that young people involved in drugs must be aware that it is a criminal offence, and, as well as health risks, can affect their ability to gain full-time employment in the future.
He went on: “We are working with schools, and it is important that people are made aware of the terrible danger and the consequences. It’s important that this is caught at an early stage. And also for their health – it is such a serious issue – their health is at stake through putting anything foreign into their bodies that has not been prescribed by a doctor.”
Rory McDonald, a Community Alcohol and Drugs education and prevention officer, who has worked for almost four years within Fermanagh as part of, ‘Breakthru’, acknowledged that he has a ‘substantial one-to-one client base’ in the county, despite the fact that other support services are also in existence.
He said that importance lies in raising awareness of health, social and personal implications of drug use in the community, and the effect it has on the whole community – as well as offering the one-to-one support.
For help or advice, you can contact Rory on: 07760884882 or alternatively visit www.breakthru.co.uk.
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