Concern as youth drug role at risk

YOUTH drug prevention services in County Wicklow could be under threat if funding is cut to the East Coast Drugs Task Force.

Cllr Nicola Lawless raised the issue at a recent council meeting and said that the job of the county’s Youth Drug Information Officer could be in jeopardy if funding cuts are sanctioned.

‘I know she is only one person, but this particular lady covers the youth services, all the way from Arklow up to Bray. She’s one person covering a massive area and does a massive amount of work. She’s asking us, that maybe we can make representation to actually stop her funding from being cut,’ she said,

Cllr Lawless asked for all councillors to agree to write to the task force and outlined their concerns.

‘If we don’t have this youth information officer within Wicklow, our children are missing out on something very vital within the area, so I’m just looking here for support from my fellow councillors, if we can actually just write to the east coast drugs task force and ask them to consider maybe not cutting the funding as she is one person covering Arklow right up to Bray,’ she said,

Cathaoirelach Chris Fox agreed that it is vital that there are no more cuts to this service.

‘She works under the youth service as well, she has done effective work in Newtown, Arklow, they are holding youth groups together. Our youth are very important so it’s vital we don’t see any more cuts,’ he said.

Cllr Lawless’ proposal was seconded by Cllr Joe Behan.