Community Conversations on Substance Use in Clonmel

Background

Slaintecare Healthy Communities launched in Clonmel in 2022. A consultation took place in 2022 with children and young people in Clonmel Slaintecare Healthy Communities (SHC) catchment area to ascertain what community development children and young people would like to see addressed in the SHC catchment area.

Findings reported children and young people want a safe, vibrant and fun place to live. Issues identified were vaping, drugs misuse and safe spaces to hang out. Through meeting community members in Clonmel the issue of substance misuse featured.

An interagency group was formed called the Quality of Life Alliance to consider collectively what those working in statutory and non-statutory agency and services in the town felt were determinant areas needing to be developed collectively.

This led to the forming of a Substance Misuse Subgroup, who created an Action Plan of responses to the issue for implementation in Clonmel.

There are a range of actions within this plan(Draft Action Plan attached) and different agencies and services are working on implementing these actions. To fully address the area of substance use in Clonmel a community approach is required where we all contribute and support and make ourselves more aware and involved in actively making Clonmel the safe, vibrant and fun place to live, and to address the issues that have already been identified.

We plan to hold four Community Conversations about Substance use in Clonmel under following groups:

Ø Vintners, Hospitality, Corporate Companies & Chamber of Commerce 18th October 3 PM Hillview Sports Club

Ø Groups, Clubs & Organisations 25th October 7.30 to 9PM Hotel Minella

Ø Lived Experience Date TBC

Ø Parents, Schools Date TBC