The eighth annual Service of Commemoration and Hope, organised by the Family Support Network, was held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Sean McDermott Street on 1 February.  This annual service is held in remembrance of loved ones lost to drugs and related causes and to publicly support families living with the devastation that drug use causes. This year’s service focused on the Network’s movement towards becoming an autonomous organisation.  It has always been the intention that the Network would be run by families for families.

Sadie Grace of the Family Support Network highlighted the issue of intimidation, punishment beatings and shooting of drug users and innocent people.  She urged communities to co-operate with the gardaí and stressed that the best way to make communities safer to live in is to work in partnership with all key stakeholders in dealing with this very contentious issue.  The Family Support Network pledged its commitment to be part of this process.

Representatives from family support groups around Ireland attended the service. The Network would like to assist more family support groups to set up throughout the country.  Ms Grace called on the government to deal more urgently with the drugs issue. She stated that if the three-year working plan the Network has submitted to the National Drugs Strategy Team is resourced, the Network will be able develop a professional service for families living with drug use throughout Ireland and continue the valuable work it has started.

Ruaidhri McAuliffe and Emily Reaper addressed the audience on behalf of UISCE (Union for Improved Services, Communication and Education).  They acknowledged the role that families play in both the treatment of and recovery from drug addiction.  They said that, by working together, both UISCE and the Network had become more aware of the problems facing drug users and their families.

Noel Ahern TD, Minister of State with responsibility for drugs strategy, and Bishop Eamonn Walshe also addressed the gathering.They both acknowledged the work and commitment of the Network and reiterated the importance of working in partnership to decrease drug-related deaths.

The Family Support Network was established by the CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign (www.citywide.ie).