Drug awareness gathering set to take place at the Tinnies

A PUBLIC gathering, aimed at raising awareness of the ever-increasing problem of drug and alcohol issues affecting Strabane will take place at the Tinnies this Wednesday.

The gathering is the latest initiative by local man Dominic Carlin, who has been working tirelessly to heighten drug and alcohol awareness.

Mr Carlin and his family were left devastated last May when their son Rory took his own life due to a drink and drug addiction. Since then, the family has undertaken a series of fundraising events, raising over £60,000 to date.

Mr Carlin is urging as many people as possible to turn out for the gathering, saying, “The Carlin and Casey families would like to invite everyone who has supported our campaign so far to come along to the gathering, wearing their blue t-shirts if they have one, and we would hope to see as many young people in attendance as possible as well as those from all sides of the sporting communities because, as everyone knows, Rory was a keen GAA and soccer player.

“The reason behind the gathering is to keep the awareness going of the growing issues surrounding drugs and alcohol and their associated effects on mental health. Addiction destroys lives, families and communities and we don’t want to see other families suffer in the way ours and too many others in Strabane have, because of these terrible addictions.

“All monies collected go to the Koram Centre so let’s support them in their work and send the strongest possible message to our young people to seek help, don’t suffer in silence and always remember that ‘your life matters’.”