Editorial: Déise young people take leading role in raising drug awareness

The Waterford Kilkenny Garda Youth Awards, held last week in the Tower Hotel, highlight the initiative, thoughtfulness and bravery of our young people.

Winners of the Community Safety category in particular deserve special mention. Tackling drug-related crime and intimidation is a huge challenge for the gardaí, and the implications of this type of crime cause perhaps the furthest-reaching damage across Waterford communities and society.

Drug addiction and drug-related crime are no longer simply confined to cities and larger urban areas; they are prevalent across society, right down to schools, clubs, villages and rural areas.

Those at the top of the illicit drugs trade across Ireland profit substantially and will use whatever means to find new 'users', and, unfortunately, our young people are particularly vulnerable. They are often also the first to become aware of drug-related activity - being the target of dealers.

CBS Dungarvan students Rian Bulfin, Krishay Dulera, Harry Higgins and Jack Shaw stepped forward to take a proactive approach in terms of educating their peers and learning more about the prevalence of this issue in their own community. In co-operation with the Waterford/Kilkenny divisional drug unit, they organised a public information event aimed at raising awareness of the impact of drug-related intimidation in the Dungarvan community and the effects it has on individuals and families. 

The excellent initiative, which also scooped the Overall Award, was applauded by Waterford Kilkenny Garda Síochána, in highlighting "a very important topic that can have a detrimental impact on young people, families and communities". 

The students engaged in conversations with their peers, parents, family members and local sports and community groups to broaden their own knowledge and research. In order to further raise awareness of the significant safety challenge of drug-related intimidation, they organised an information event, which was attended by high-ranking Gardaí with expertise in such issues.

Tackling drug-related intimidation is incredibly challenging for the gardaí, but a significant first step in this battle is in raising awareness and establishing greater understanding across all ages and sections of our communities - and demonstrating that help is available. 

Another challenge for young people concerns the increased prevalence of vaping, and other smoking-related behaviour. 

'The Air that I Breathe', a project by Najah Hussein, Enya Pesce, Tallia Donnelly, Nicholas Nowah and Cian Holden, won the Group Award for their work in exploring the factors driving smoking and vaping. 

They examined the underlying influences and discussed impacts on health, community and the environment. They also produced a sculpture depicting two lungs, one healthy and one damaged, and co-designed a flyer to share. 

They were motivated to raise awareness of the growing influence of vaping and its risks, and to advocate for stronger community action and legislation. As well as creating their piece of art, they also organised a series of workshops and a public launch of their project. 

Art is a powerful medium through which to engage with people, having the power to create a lasting feeling and connection, in a manner which is often far more productive and successful than other public information initiatives.

On a final note, every week in the Waterford News & Star we carry stories and court cases, which are the result of drug use and drug-related crime. Many of these people, during their school days, would never have envisioned their lives would take such a path. But the fight-back by Gardaí and society is increasingly visible, with the Garda Youth Awards reflecting that, and, crucially, providing a sense of hope for the future.