The local representative for the political party Aontú has said that he is “nearly considered odd” because he doesn’t take drugs.
Raising concerns over the widespread use of drugs in Galway, the party’s rep in Tuam Luke Silke said he is becoming extremely alarmed at the current situation among people and their use of drugs.
He said that drugs have become so normalised now across Ireland that he is almost considered odd because he doesn’t take them.
“The same stigma that exists around people who don’t drink alcohol is now being experienced by people who don’t consume drugs – it is beginning to feel as though I’m in the minority among those in my age bracket,” said Mr Silke.
“I’m 25 years old, setting aside the fact that most of my peers are now either in Canada or Australia, the drug use among the youth that remain in Galway seems to be rampant.
“Because we’ve no night club in Galway, after a night out in the city, when everything is closed at 2am, the young people go looking for a means to extend their night out.
“I’m content with a burger and chips, but I have to say on most nights out I have had people approach me after the pubs close either trying to sell me drugs, or asking me where they can be bought. It’s a very sad experience.”
Luke Silke said that Aontú believes that reforms are needed in the education system – that young people in our primary and secondary schools need to be introduced, by their teachers, to a guest speaker whose life has been destroyed by drugs.
He said that they need to be educated on the number of people who have died, been imprisoned, been murdered, or had their lives ruined along the path of production and sale of that bag they are to be offered on a night out.
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