Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their honesty. I will try to keep it brief. We are talking about the impact of Covid. My first question is very simple. If the witnesses could predict the future, do they envisage a bigger demand, or a tsunami of demand, on services within the next 12 months? I ask that because when it comes to addiction and mental health problems, it takes people who are stuck in that rut time to realise they are in trouble. Most of the time, unfortunately, it is when they are in too deep. It is only then, if they are lucky enough to have the support of family and friends, they will try to access help.

Deputy Ward mentioned alcohol advertising. We see advertising with graphic images on packets of cigarettes to try to discourage people from smoking. Is there a barrier, or is it due to lobbyists within the alcohol industry, to facts about the side-effects of alcohol misuse being advertised? It is okay to have a cigarette. People like a cigarette even though they know it is bad for them. It gives some people peace and solace, as does a social drink. I ask that because the educational factor is more important since prevention is better than cure. The Samaritans were in front of the committee a number of weeks ago. They go to concerts to give out information on drugs, drink and so on. It is about getting information. Do the witnesses get supports for any campaigns like that? This is the national side of it. Dr. McMonagle talked about supports and joined-up thinking. What are the supports for a national body? I take it the Alcohol Forum covers the 32 counties. Is there a slight difference in the attitude to health, and helping and getting supports in, within the Six Counties compared with here?

The issue of supporting staff in all the centres was mentioned and it is vital. I am glad to hear they are getting support and are looking after their staff. I recently spoke with a Samaritans' volunteer. As I said, we had a very in-depth discussion with representatives of that organisation at the committee a number of weeks ago, but I still did not pick up on the fact, until the volunteer said it to me, that the volunteer could be the very last person a caller at the other end of the line talks to before they die. That is a very serious scenario. When the witnesses talk about community-led initiatives, what is the vision? There used to be a stigma around suicide, which is probably still there in certain sectors for obvious reasons. How do we destigmatise the fact that people have an alcohol or drug problem, so they are not victimised when they go to seek help? That is a major issue.

The Garda was mentioned, which is overstretched and under-resourced, including in community policing. What about getting information into youth clubs? How are schools dealing with this? Are they willing to come on board? It is a campaign where information, and letting people know, is key. Not everybody will be stopped. I am a smoker. I hate smoking, but I am addicted to it. Not everybody will be stopped but if I at least had the opportunity, a long time ago, to know the facts about it, I may never have taken it up. I know there is a lot in that but I will not come back in.