Stop our Children Dying, No More Tragedy

“695 people died from a drug related death in 2015, leaving 695 broken hearted families left to grieve…we are here to give these families hope, we are here to tell the government that these families deserve services and supports in their own right,” Sadie Grace, CEO, National Family Support Network

An open invitation for anyone affected by a relative or loved one’s drug/alcohol use has been issued by the organisers of the Annual Service of Commemoration and Hope, which takes place this Thursday, February 1st, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Seán MacDermott Street in Dublin 1 at 7:30p.m.

Hundreds of family members and representatives from support organisations from all over Ireland, are expected to attend the service, which has been organised by the National Family Support Network every year since the year 2000. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál Mac Donncha, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s aide-de-camp Comdt. Caroline Burke, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, and the Minister with special responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne TD, are also expected to attend.

Sadie Grace, CEO with the National Family Support Network states that this years’ service will focus on the impact of bereavement of family members and the need for increased services to support them, she notes that “695 people died from a drug relate death in 2015, leaving 695 broken hearted families left to grieve. Issues like drug related intimidation, drug debt and care giving for children who have lost parents are some of the many issues faced by these devastated families. We are here to offer families affected hope, we are here to tell the government that these families deserve services and supports in their own right”.

The Family Support Network was formed in 2000 and has grown to include over 80 member groups throughout the island of Ireland. The organisation was instrumental the establishment of the National Drug Related Death Index and has championed a substance misuse specific bereavement support programme for family members.

For further information about the National Family Support Network or the Annual Service of Commemoration and Hope, phone the National Family Support Network at (01)  8980148

Source: The Family Support Network, 30/01/18