On no account must the disastrous closure of the Anchorage Centre in Old Market Place be consigned to the history books. Funding for the immediate reinstatement of this most valuable community premises for those with serious alcohol and drug addictions must be found at all costs and from whatever source. That is the message hopefully that the Assembly MLAs will take to Stormont from last Thursday June 19 Healthcare Committee Meeting in Omagh District Council Offices.

The health and social welfare of these vulnerable people must be protected. Since the Anchorage closed its doors they have been left high and dry, totally isolated and abandoned by society, with absolutely nowhere to go. In its eight year lifespan, the centre provided hands-on support and daily back-up services for their problems. Many try hard to rehabilitate themselves and restore some order and stability to their lives, now that no longer exists.

At last Thursday's Healtcare meeting, I raised once again the urgency of having this essential community establishment fully operational again, has brought renewed hope to the team of dedicated staff and voluntary helpers who kept the centre going in spite of the meagre funding.

Many other important healthcare and hospital issues were rightfully discussed by those present at the meeting, but the social impact of these most vulnerable people having no where to seek refuge and solace could not be overstated and must be addressed.

I am firmly of the opinion that if the Anchorage had catered for the middle class or upper echelons of society, funding far exceeded the paltry £45,000 that was allocated to keep it open for a full year would have been got without question.

No organisation doing the fantastic work that the centre did, could possibly have survived on such ridiculous funding, it was a drop in the ocean.

For the sake of the whole community, but especially for those suffering addiction, hopefully the MLAs will present this issue in the most forceful terms and secure the funding necessary.

Cllr Johnny McLaughlin