More drugs education needed - Hyland

MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE Independent Westport councillor Christy Hyland.

Councillor takes on new JPC role to help war on drugs


Anton McNulty

THE new chair of the Joint Policing Sub Committee on Crime and Drugs believes that educating young people is the key to tackling the county’s drugs problem.
Westport-based Independent councillor Christy Hyland was recently appointed to the JPC role.
A former Garda, Cllr Hyland believes drugs are a scourge causing untold damage throughout Mayo.
“Drugs are a major problem in communities right across the county, with cocaine particularly prevalent and a cause of concerns for families,” he said.
“It is too easy now for young people to get their hands on drugs like cocaine. They do not realise how easy it is for them to get hooked on them and the impact that these drugs can have on their mental health.
“Getting that message across to young people is key. More needs to be done to educate young people on the dangers of drugs. It needs to start in the schools at a young age because there are too many reports of young people starting taking these hard drugs younger and younger.”

Vocal critic
Cllr Hyland, a member of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee, has been a vocal critic of the new policing model that is being rolled out around the country.
“It is a cost-saving exercise rather than bringing the Gardaí closer to the communities they serve and providing a proper, efficient service to the people.
“I am delighted to have been appointed to this new role, particularly with the challenges and problems that we all now face in the drug and crime areas and policing in general in Mayo.
“I will serve this new position to the best of my ability,” he concluded.