CASCO class graduation

GRADUATES of the autumn 2016 Community Addiction Studies Course (CASCÓ) were awarded their certificates at a ceremony in Castleblaney.

The group successfully completed the 20-week programme in Tusla Castleblayney Wellbeing Centre, Co Monaghan. The programme was funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund and drew participants from Monaghan, Cavan, Louth & Meath.

Programme facilitation was provided by Samantha Teather (Information & Education Programmes) and Lee O’Neill. Certificates were presented by North Eastern Regional Drugs & Alcohol Task Force Coordinator Andy Ogle.

The Community Addiction Studies Course CASCÓ is for people living or working in local communities who wish to be more effective when dealing with drug and alcohol issues. (CASCÓ) came about as a result of needs assessment carried out by Dundalk Drugs Action Group whereby a clear need for accredited drug prevention education was identified. A QQI Fetac Level 5 course was developed by URRUS, a Ballymun Youth Action Project. The course runs for 20 weeks (3 hours per week plus one weekend). The purpose of the CASCÓ is to enable people to learn about drugs and their effects, develop an understanding of addiction, examine their own attitudes, become more effective in their personal responses and develop the skills and knowledge to become more effective in responding to drug misuse in their own communities.

There was a huge interest in this year’s CASCÓ course and a large number of people from the North-East area applied for the 25 places for the 10th CASCÓ to be delivered in the North East.