Politicians told to invest in they out hand their future
INVEST in the youth of Drogheda and you’ll create an alleyway out of drugs, violence and fear and a blossoming highway to positive mental health, brighter days and a true community.
That was the message delivered to local politicians at what could be a watershed meeting in the Rowan Heights Community House last week.
Members of the Garda Diversion Project and the Southside Project hosted the meeting at whuch 30 young people got the chance to give their views on modern day Drogheda.
Mayor Paul Bell, Fergus O’Dowd and Imelda Munster TD, Senator Ged Nash and Supt Andrew Watters listened intently to what the young people had to say and went away enlightened in many respects.
Indeed, one comment from the youth was that this should be the first of many meet ups between youths and local leaders in a bid to tackle all the issues surrounding the town.
It was eye-opening for many.
The lack of mental health services for people aged 10 to 16 in Louth was deemed huge. Other areas have ‘Jigsaw’ to serve the needs of youngsters.
The Garda Diversion Project should start at 10 years of age to help keep pre-teens on a secure path.
More community gardai are needed to join the likes of Barry Purcell, get into the estates and meet people.
But the biggest issue were the 20% cuts years ago to youth services, the likes of Monica Murphy and Denise Tuohy just two project workers to cater for more than 3,000 young people.
If they could get a few more workers in, the difference would be huge.
There were two wonderful comments made on Thursday night, both from the young people.
Chloe Kelly spoke from the heart about Monica Murphy and what she had done for her and others.
She joined the Southside Youth Group when she was 10 and times had changed.
She said 10 year olds were afraid to leave their homes today, well aware of what was going on.
The Southside Project gave the youth a sense of belonging, a safe place to go to, to do art and crafts, get advice, go on educational trips. ‘It offers ongoing support and motivation.’
‘I appreciate the one to ones with Monica and it fills me with hope for the future and to make the right choices.
‘ The project keeps us busy, boosts our self esteem and we appreciate it. We would be lost without it. We have brilliant memories that we’ll treasure forever.’
Another girl, Shannon, read a letter, calling for more support for young people and said the Southside Project was ‘ like a second family’ and the government should put more time and effort into projects like this.
The guests on the night offered many words of hope, Imelda Munster telling them to ‘dream big’ while Supt Andrew Watters asked what the gardai could do for them. They asked that when gardai see young people on the beat, go over and chat to them.
Youth worker Shane McArdle made a plea for resources for the Detached Youth Work Programme which is an outreach programme that engages with vulnerable and socially excluded young people.
That would add significantly to the fight on the ground to catch every young person struggling.
He also made the point about mental health and the impact it was having.
‘People are taking drugs to get away from reality,’ he stated.
The likes of the Southside Project and the Garda Diversion are vital to Drogheda’s future. Now the politicians know that.