Over the past two years, Teach na Daoine Family Resource Centre has received many requests from concerned residents both within the area of Mullaghmatt/Cortolvin and from outside this catchment area for support in dealing with the physical, psychological and social effects of the use of “Herbal” products (Synthetic Cannabinoids).

In the last 12 months alone, our community has lost two of its young people as a direct result of “Herbal” use. In response to this, a series of public meetings and stakeholder consultations were held in late 2014 and out of that process Teach na Daoine commissioned this piece of research to investigate the extent of the problem.

It makes stark reading and outlines the challenges ahead for all within this community, and the County of Monaghan. It is very clear that there is a need for collaboration across a wide range of agencies if we are to affect change on this issue. Teach na Daoine will continue to work with Community, Voluntary and Statutory agencies locally to assist in the implementation of the recommendations contained within this report. We will also advocate for legislative change to address the legal status of these substances.