Drugs.ie Launch Let’s Talk about Drugs Youth Media Awards 2106

Miriam O'Callaghan officially launched the 2016 Drugs.ie ‘Lets Talk about Drugs’ National Youth Media Awards last week.

Drug use among Irish youth is above the EU average and Ireland now has the 5th highest rate of drug-related deaths among under 25’s in the EU. In addition, a UN report in 2013 found that consumption levels of new synthetic drugs in Ireland were three times the EU average.

The Drugs.ie 'Let's Talk about Drugs' National Youth Media Awards encourages discussion of drug and alcohol-related issues by inviting young people to produce a piece of original content relating to drug and/or alcohol use. The competition is supported by The HSE National Social Inclusion Office; The Drug Policy Unit in the Department of Health; Healthy Ireland and Cosc - The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence in the Department of Justice and Equality.

Speaking at the launch of the 2016 Drugs.ie ‘Let's Talk About Drugs’ National Youth Media Awards, Mr Tony Duffin, Director of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, said: “Ana Liffey Drug Project along with our supporters are calling out for young people to enter the 2016 awards. Their contributions will help in the challenge of communicating the risks associated with drugs and alcohol among young people.”

Speaking about the awards Mr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drug Strategy said: “I welcome the launch of the 2016 National Media Awards. My first official engagement as Minister of State with Responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy was to attend the awards ceremony for the 2015 competition. The standard of the entries was outstanding and it was clear to see from the young people I met at the ceremony that it had got them talking about the misuse of drugs and alcohol and the effects that both can have, not only on young people but the family as a whole. Coming from a background in education I believe that targeting young people with prevention in mind is one of the most important things we can do”.

Mr Joe Doyle, HSE National Social Inclusion Planning Specialist said: “The primary three problems most commonly associated with the occurrence of child abuse and neglect and identified in families involved with child protection services are; parental problem alcohol and other drug use; domestic violence; and parental mental health problems. “If we are to tackle the issue of problem alcohol and other drug use and harm to others, it is vital that young people challenge misconceptions and as a result make informed choices.”

Cosc also contributed to the funding of the Drugs.ie National Youth Media Awards 2016. That contribution was made against the background that awareness and education is essential to give our young people a greater understanding of the harmful effects of alcohol and drug use.

There are two themes to choose from:

• What are the hidden harms of alcohol use?
• What are the effects of drug use?

There are four age categories for entries:  12-14; 15-17; 18-20; 21-25 and entrants will submit a piece of original content, based on one of the themes in one of the following formats: (a) news article; (b) a video/animation; (c) an audio recording; (d)  a poster design. Closing date for entries is Friday the 22nd January 2016. The overall prize is €2000 and the winners’ work will be published on the Drugs.ie website.  All age category winners also receive an iPad Mini and a certificate. Full details and entry forms are available on drugs.ie/awards.