by Alan Healy
A former drug addict has warned that Derry is in the grip of an ‘epidemic’ involving the misuse of medication and prescribed drugs.
The warning came at a meeting of a local group which provides support for people with drug and alcohol issues in Derry.
Heal the Hurt hosted the event in the Galliagh area on Friday night, which heard from recovering drug addicts who issued a stark warning that the misuse of prescribed drugs such as Xanax and OxyContin are overtaking illegal drugs in Derry.
Xanax is not readily available in the UK but people are getting hold of it through private prescriptions and the internet.
The drug is a tranquiliser are designed to calm or relieve tension in users, and can be highly addictive.
OxyContin meanwhile, is used to treat moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period of time.
Prior to the meeting, the Derry News spoke to a number of people who use the services provided by Heal the Hurt, who spoke of their own experiences with drug abuse and recovery.
However, they also issued a warning about the prevalence of prescription drugs in the city, particularly amongst younger people, who may not be aware of the risks they are exposing themselves to by taking them.
One of those who spoke to the Derry News was Christopher Mallett, who said that Heal the Hurt had helped turn his life around after a prolonged period of crime and drug abuse during which he was addicted to heroin, and at one stage saw him under a death threat from a paramilitary group.
He told the Derry News that the group had given him ‘new hope’ by helping him recover psychologically, and restored his ‘self-esteem’.
“At one stage, my heart stopped three times and I was brought back to life and I remember one of those times taking 50 Xanax out of my pocket, and eating them.
“When I came around, I was in Gransha.
“That’s when I decided to get clean.
“Getting the body clean was just the first step, it was the psychological I then had to deal with.
“And that’s where Liam Stewart and Heal the Hurt came in. He managed to get the death threat lifted and brought me into the group.”
Christopher has now progressed to the point where he is delivering public information talks about the dangers of drugs, the most recent of which was in Carnhill a number of weeks ago.
“The therapeutic value of sitting and talking with other addicts is unparalleled to any other treatments,” he added.
“I think the problem is that people aren’t educated on addiction, and they just think that you’re a scumbag, you have no education.
“Heal the Hurt aren’t like that, they don’t judge you and accept you for who you are at face value.
“It was my father who contacted them and said I was going to die – I had nowhere else to go, and Liam took me in.”
Lyrica
He also issued a stark warning about the increasing usage of prescription drugs.
“In the 90s the party drugs were cocaine and ecstasy, now it’s the doctor who is the drug dealer,” he added.
“I feel my job now is about prevention, and putting it out there that it’s the prescription drugs that are taking over now, it’s an epidemic out there on the streets.”
The Derry News also spoke to another member of the group, Rob, who said that Derry is ‘awash’ with prescription drugs such as Tramadol, a strong painkiller, and the likes of Lyrica (Pregabalin), another painkiller.
He added that children as young as 13 are abusing such substances on a regular basis.
“The prescription drugs are taking over, they’re easier to get and there’s less risk,” he said.
“What I’m hearing is that there are a lot of prescription drugs being bought off the web, so the people buying these drugs don’t even know what’s in them, so there’s an added danger.”
“I would say to young people, just don’t take them, but it’s everywhere, it’s all over Derry.”
Chemists
The Derry News also spoke with a recovering heroin addict, who wished to remain anonymous.
She said that if not for Heal the Hurt, she would have to move to Dublin and become homeless in order be eligible for a treatment programme.
Commenting, Liam Stewart, found of Heal the Hurt, said that a number of recent deaths in the city had been caused by prescription drugs such as Xanax.
“The message needs to get out there, Xanax, morphine patches, Tramadol are now becoming a bigger problem as illegal drugs, if not bigger,” he said.
“People are travelling to chemists outside of Derry to get the stuff.”
He added: “Parents need to be aware and be educated about this, because it is killing our young people.”
The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Drug and Alcohol lead Michael Owen said: “The fact is, all drugs carry risks, therefore the PHA strongly recommends that you do not take anything unless it has been prescribed to you by a medical professional and in accordance with your prescription.
“If you have taken drugs or have misused a prescribed medication and are feeling unwell, please seek medical help urgently.
“If you think you might have a problem with alcohol and/or drugs and would like to get help please visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info for information on support services near you. There is also a range of services available to you if you are affected by someone else’s drinking and/or drug misuse, information on these services are also available on this website. These services are available to you regardless of whether or not your loved one is receiving help for his or her alcohol and/or drug problem.”
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.