We’re teaching kids how to cut off the dealers..
GAA club’s hair styling classes keep teens away from drugs
WORKSHOP
YOUNGSTERS who were at risk of being lured into drug dealing are learning how to become barbers and hairdressers.
Setanta GAA club in Ballymun, North Dublin, made headlines 16 months ago when children as young as 13 were targeted by criminals.
It sent a letter to Drugs Minister Catherine Byrne demanding urgent action to tackle crack-cocaine use, which had risen 10-fold.
Local councillors said they feared an epidemic was threatening to wipe out a generation of youngsters.
Hair stylists and barbers in the area teamed up for Hair Together in support of Setanta BEST programme, which is aimed at 14 to 17-year-olds.
Eileen Mchugh, from The Hair Cafe Salon in Smithfield, said: “This programme is really close to my heart as I grew up in the same area with similar challenges.
“My hope is that by participating in this programme these teenagers will have a chance to experience something new, have a safe place to explore their creativity and do it together with other peers that they wouldn’t usually mix with.”
Ms Mchugh and Tony O’reilly from The Kube Hair Design voluntarily ran two similar evenings in the past and a big aim is to help the teens stay in school.
Tony said: “With my similar background growing up in Finglas I’m also in a position to be able to identify with many of the youth we will be working with in Hair Together so I’m very excited and privileged to be giving a chance to work with youths on our 10-week course.”
Old County Barbers are the third programme sponsors who are teaching the teens.