Derry City charity HURT, which has been operating in Limavady for almost a year, is now extending its counselling and support services in the town.
Thanks to an almost half a million pounds windfall from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities grant, HURT will be able to offer clients in the Limavady area extended access.
The organisation offers family and individual support for those experienc
ing substance abuse.
"The service has been well received and supported by a number of key partners in the area, not least the Limavady Community Development Initiative who have accommodated us at the Roe Valley Hospital," said HURT project co-ordinator Sadie O'Reilly.
"Limavady as a neighbouring town does not have an abundance of accessible drug/alcohol related services.
"Our unique range of services means that people who would have had to travel to Derry can now access help and support in Limavady."
HURT also aims to expand its services into nearby Dungiven over the next four years.
"HURT as an organisation plans to establish ourselves across the North West region, to be in a position to provide our services to as many people as possible," said Ms. O'Reilly.
Ms. O'Reilly, who established HURT almost six years ago, said: "The drug problem isn't going away.
In fact there's a degree of acceptance within society which makes it even more dangerous for young people now."
Tragic
Sadie knows first hand the bitter consequences of drugs, having lost her son Tony in 1999 following a tragic heroin overdose.
"There's a certain acceptance almost about drugs now – it's like going out for a meal to some young people.
And the problem knows no boundaries either – I deal with young people every day from good solid family backgrounds – you can't blame bad parenting."
Since its launch HURT has had no government funding.
For further information contact 07857 093 841or visit hurtni.org.uk
The full article contains 320 words and appears in Journal Tuesday Derry Edit newspaper.
