This programme is part of Letterkenny C.D.P’s Community Response to Drug/Alcohol Issues throughout Co. Donegal; providing non-judgemental support, guidance and education to drug/alcohol users, their families and the community; enabling them to cope with the effects of drug/alcohol use in their everyday lives. The Programme is funded by the Office of Minister of Drugs through the NWRDATF and supported by H.S.E. West (channel of funding) and also supported by the Dept. of Social Protection through the Community Employment Programme.
The evening was facilitated by Margaret Toner Voluntary Manager of Letterkenny C.D.P. and was well attended by local people and groups with an interest in Drugs/Alcohol supports. Mary Healy Outreach Support Worker with Letterkenny C.D.P. gave an overview of her work providing up to date advice and information on drugs & alcohol, flexible one to one and group support sessions, allowing service users to be seen in an environment where they are most comfortable and addressing individual and group addiction issues in a confidential, non judgemental manner.
Cathal Monaghan Holistic Therapy Co – ordinator with Letterkenny C.D.P.’s Holistic Therapy Programme throughout the County of Donegal. He talked on the different Methods of Referral used i.e. Addictions Services, G.P.’s , Community Services and Self-referral. He also spoke on the skills of the Therapists and the therapies available i.e. Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Auricular Acupuncture and Stress Management.
Tracey Mitchell North West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force’s Development Worker for County Donegal then gave an overview of the excellent work carried out by the Task Force itself which supports projects in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and part of Cavan area. She spoke of the number of organisations, statutory agencies, community & voluntary groups who are represented on the Task Force enabling a widespread support and consultation in the area of Drugs and Alcohol misuse. She praised Letterkenny C.D.P. for their great work in the community in this area of work and thanked the voluntary management and staff for their continued support to some of the most vulnerable in society.
Margaret Toner then introduced the members of the voluntary management of Letterkenny C.D.P. Gerry Mc Monagle, Margaret Edwards, Ann Scanlon, and Tanya Kerr. She then invited all present to view the rest of the premises, have some light refreshments and avail of a taster session of holistic therapy of their choice. She concluded the evening by giving information on how to contact the Project including the following confidential numbers Drugs & Alcohol Outreach Worker direct confidential mobile number 0867752142, Holistic Therapy Co-ordinator direct confidential mobile number 0862270437 and general enquiries can also be made at the Community House, 2 Errigal Road, Letterkenny, 0749120633 email: lkennycdp@eircom.net