Top Mayo GAA Club host talk to reveal truth of illegal drug use

Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club is to host a talk for parents of the players, especially younger players, entitled ‘Don’t Tune Out To Drugs’.

The talk will be delivered by Garda Michael Toland, Castlebar Community Policing Unit, along with members of An Garda Síochána Mayo Drug Unit.

It will take place in An Sportlann on Tuesday, April 5, at 7.30 p.m. and all parents of players are encouraged to attend.

John O’Donnell of the Mitchels Healthy Club said: “This is a great opportunity for parents to get the low down on the different kind of drugs that are out there and what to do if you need some advice.

"As a pharmacist, I saw it myself where parents would come in to the shop asking me about drugs and expressing their worries about their children."

Garda Michael Toland added: “The aim of this talk is to tell parents the truth, and sometimes the difficult facts on drugs in our community and clubs.

"My colleagues will be in attendance to show parents what drugs look like, and explain the possible sporting and career consequences if someone is found with drugs.

"We will be there to answer any questions that parents have and to let them know that we are here to help if a parent is worried about a family member."

Parents often know very little about drugs and do not know what to do if they suspect their son or daughter might be experimenting so this is an opportunity for those parents to come and ask questions, meet An Garda Síochana, and educate themselves.

Topics covered in this talk are drug use, sale of drugs, rise in drug use in communities and clubs, consequences if caught, penalties, what help is there, and this will be followed by a Q&A session.

Some months ago former Limerick hurling All-Star Ciarán Carey said that cocaine is “well and truly alive” in the GAA so make sure to put this date in your diary.

For more information on the talk, call 086 8595385.