Educating Young People on the Dangers of Drug Use  

The Newry, Mourne, and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has been raising awareness of the risks associated with drug use. A number of youth-focused presentations have been made at schools throughout the district.

In October alone, over 2000 young people in community groups, schools, colleges, and GAA clubs have received a hard-hitting presentation delivered by a mother who lost her son to drug use in 2009, aged just 22.  

Kealan Burke's story really drives home the message of how drugs can impact lives. The presentation told the story that led up to Kealan’s drug overdose in October 2007.  His mother, Theresa Burke, spoke fondly of her son and shared images and stories from their last Christmas together as a family, showing how a normal ‘young lad’ and family from a local area can be affected by drug use.

Theresa then spoke of how Kealan began smoking Cannabis, which led on to the use of ecstasy and other drugs, before he finally took methadone which caused him to have an accidental overdose, leaving him in hospital for a year and a half. 

Theresa’s presentation showed images and videos of her son Kealan, from the time he spent in hospital, where he unfortunately was quadriplegic and unable to communicate due to how the drugs affected his brain. These parts of the presentation are tough to watch but reinforce the message of the dangers of drugs. Kealan Burke sadly died in February 2009 a week after his 22nd birthday. 

Speaking about the importance of the message behind Theresa’s presentation, Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP Chair, Councillor Oonagh Hanlon said, “As a PCSP, we are committed to reducing drug use throughout our council district. Our partnership works with various agencies across Newry, Mourne and Down to not only try to prevent drug use, but also raise awareness of support services for those who may be struggling with drug addiction.

“It is therefore important for us to get the message out to our young people about how dangerous drugs can be and make them aware of the devastation drugs can cause to families. Theresa’s presentation is very hard to watch, but it is important that young people realise this is the reality of what drugs can do. We are thankful to all of the community groups, schools, colleges, and GAA clubs we have attended for helping us spread this important message.”

For more information on safety talks for your school or youth group please contact Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP at PCSP@nmandd.org