West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Resource Pack launched to highlight dangers of alcohol abuse.

Published: 2 July, 2010

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with some of the participants who took part in the Breakthru project.

Cllr Mc Aleer pictured with some of the participants who took part in the Breakthru project.

The Chairman of Omagh District Council, Declan Mc Aleer

attended the launch of a photographic resource pack which

was commissioned by Breakthru to highlight the dangers

posed to young people by alcohol abuse. The pack is to be

used by schools and youth groups groups and was

created by young people. The launch incorporated a very

powerful role play about the emotional and social effects of

alcoholism. During his address,

Cllr Mc Aleer said:

'As Chairman of Omagh District Council, I am delighted to join you at the Strule Arts Centre this afternoon for the launch of Breakthru's Photographic Resource Pack.

'I understand that this pack has been developed by Breakthru in collaboration with young people from the various Neighbourhood Renewal Areas of Omagh and I believe that this approach will ensure the success of the project.

'As a lecturer in Psychology, I understand the socio-economic difficulties facing young people today. Unfortunately alcohol and drug related problems are prevalent in all spheres of our society but from my experience, preaching to young people will only make them more reactionary.

'My own philosophy is to encourage and guide them to participate in discussions and develop their own solutions.

'The idea of a photographic workbook is a very novel way of tackling what is a very serious issue. This is, in my view, a very impressive piece of work and having had a brief look through the pack, I can immediately see how effective it will be.

'You have all no doubt heard of the phrase "A Picture Paints a Thousand Words" which I believe has its origins in an old Chinese proverb. By using the photographs in this pack, which is, I understand, for use with groups or individuals, the participants will find that they will have little trouble attributing a thousand words to each one.

'Breakthru has, since its inception in 1995, focussed on raising awareness and providing advice on the key problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse. They have achieved this through the clever use of group work, peer education and one to one support and crucially in a non judgemental setting.

'Some of the facts and figures which are provided with the resource pack are frightening. As a parent myself, albeit my children are still very young, I can empathise with parents whose children are perhaps caught up in the alcohol trap and are finding it difficult to escape.

'I congratulate Sean and the team at Breakthru and the young people from the Omagh area who have worked so hard to develop this excellent resource for use by their peers. As I alluded to earlier, the involvement of young people in the development of the resource pack will, I believe, make it more relevant and ultimately beneficial to those who will use it.

'Once again, both in a personal capacity and as Chairman of Omagh District Council, can I offer my congratulations to everyone involved in this project'.