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Protecting Moville from
alcohol-related harm
10.12.07
ALCOHOL-induced
fighting and underage drinking is a major concern
among the people of Moville, a new survey reveals.
The survey, published last Thursday as part of the
ongoing Moville Community Alcohol Project, also
shows that binge drinking, damage to property and
the lack of alcohol-free alternatives for young
people are issues of concern in the Foyleside town. |
Adult respondents cited
a lack of law enforcement as a contributing factor
while younger respondents said peer pressure and the
easy availability of drink as areas of concern.
Alcohol project worker, David Simpson explained that
800 questionnaires were |
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distributed in the town
as part of the survey with 96 completed and
returned. A further 240 were distributed at Moville
Community College with 146 completed and returned.
Mr. Simpson referred to a Donegal Youth Service
survey showing that 74% of young people in the
county had their first drink by the age of 16. But
he said, at same time, there were no activities for
young people in the town aged 13 to 17 outside of
sport.
“The aim of the project is to protect the next
generation in Moville from alcohol-related harm," he
told the gathering at St. Eugene's Hall, Moville.
"Some young people may be exhibiting the problem,
but we must all be part of the solution.
“The greatest challenge facing Moville is not the
‘demon drink’ or ‘those rowdy teenagers’, it is
ourselves. It will be a challenge to no longer
accept our young people being in danger and to act
to protect them.”
Meanwhile, Mary McKinney, co-ordinator of the
Moville Family Resource Centre, where the alcohol
project is based, said: “We have got funding from
the Dormant Accounts to mobilise the whole community
to solve this problem.
"We are not against drink but against early
excessive drinking and the damage it is doing to our
young people and the community.
"We are not out to blame anyone but to find ways of
helping the different parts of the community to find
ways of protecting the next generation from alcohol
related harm.”
The winners of a schools poster competition run as
part of the project received their prizes on the
night. |
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