INTERCONNECTOR HEARING OPENS IN ARMAGH

Gardaí, medical profession voice deep concern at strategic plan launch

By Cianna McNally

Authoritative voices from the policing and medical professions have presented a stark picture of the menace that alcohol and drugs, in particular synthetic cannabinoids, are posing to the health and wellbeing of young people in Co Monaghan.

  Garda Superintendent Noel Cunningham and Dr Ashraf Butt, Emergency Department consultant at Cavan General Hospital, were speaking at Friday’s launch in Castleblayney of the Monaghan Drugs and Alcohol Forum strategic plan 2016-2021.  (See full report and photos from the launch on page 23).

  “There are no such thing as recreational drugs.  These are mind-altering substances and are turning our young people into absolute ogres,” Superintendent Cunningham stated.

  The Superintendent’s concerns in relation to synthetic cannabinoid substances were shared by Dr Butt, who described local drug use as rampant and definitely underestimated, with increasing…