Just say no Anti-drug group calls for youths to take pledge (Ireland)

[Lunar Loops]

This particular gem of a piece appeared in The Irish Independent last week. Noteworthy for the quote by the governor of Mountjoy prison (now why would he have been asked to be involved in this scheme I wonder?????) where he states "It is unhealthy to be pumping your body with unnatural products". Cannabis unnatural? Of course SWIS could go on with a VERY long list here, but SWIUs all get the picture. Even better is the idea that a pioneer style badge is going to make a blind bit of difference to anything (for those outside of the country th pioneer badge was worn by those who swore never to touch a drop of alcohol and goes back donkey's years, supported by the church). After all, the pioneer badge really put a stop to people drinking in Ireland didn't it? Anyway, I digress, onto the article:

Just say no Anti-drug group calls for youths to take pledge

MOUNTJOY Prison governor John Lonergan said yesterday he was opposed to any arguments which called for the legalisation of drugs. "It is unhealthy to be pumping your body with unnatural products," he said. Mr Lonergan was speaking at the launch of a new Pioneer-style anti-drugs campaign and badge which is targeted at teenagers.
Stad Le Cheile, or Stand Together Against Drugs, is a group of people who banded together to tackle the problem of drugs. The brainchild of former Fianna Fail Senator Des Hanafin and his son, Senator John Hanafin, the aim of the group is to promote an anti-drugs emblem and pledge.
"The idea is that young people would sign a pledge which is their own personal commitment and the emblem is a symbol of that," John Hanafin said. The emblem is modelled on a sculpture, called 'Home', which is based in Dublin's north inner city. Its flame and open door commemorates those whose lives were lost to drugs.
One of those responsible for the sculpture being erected, Sadie Grace of the Family Support Network, said she was pleased to support the campaign. "If it stops one child getting addicted, it will be worth it," she said.
Our picture shows Jacqlynn Arkins, from North Wall, holding up the new 'Badge'.


FIONNAN SHEAHAN