The Drugwiser Family Support Group, based in Fermanagh, are holding their annual conference in Mahon's Hotel, Irvinestown, this Saturday. It is open to the public
The conference will run over 23rd–24th June and its organisers invite concerned members of the public to an information and awareness session on Saturday, 23rd. The session will last about three hours, with light refreshments served during the interval. All are welcome and hopefully everyone will learn something to their benefit.
The Drugwiser Family Support Group, Enniskillen, belongs to a 'nationwide network' of similar groups and offers help to anyone affected by drug or alcohol abuse within the family circle.
The Group argue that most families dealing with drug/alcohol use are looking for answers and that those answers are almost exclusively concerning the family member who is abusing. However, they rarely realise that the rest of the family unit also needs help.
This is where the Drugwiser Family Support Group can step in. The Group can support members through difficult times, sometimes just by listening, at other times by sharing how they dealt with similar situations.
According to Drugwiser, there is a misconception that the drug problem does not effect family members and once the drug user gets help that the problems of the rest of the family will disappear. This is not true, say Drugwiser.
"All the family is affected," said its spokesman, "and a huge strain can be put on relationships between couples and between parents and other family members. The message is clear: drug abuse effects the whole family.
"Alcohol and drug abuse is destroying the youth of our country, and many parents and siblings are living in fear, shame and denial due to lack of knowledge and an unnecessary sense of guilt," the spokesman added.
"The Drugwiser Family Support Group is a safe, confidential and non-judgmental place for the family members of drug/alcohol users to come together to discuss common issues in relation to dealing with drug/alcohol use within their family."
For safe, confidential and free information, telephone 07749699243 or 02866328352.
