Thurso seminar looks at drugs and alcohol abuse

Icelandic projects that tackle drugs and alcohol abuse were among the subjects at a well-attended event in Thurso.

The Prevention Seminar on Drugs and Alcohol took place in the Park Hotel on Wednesday with the aim of discussing which strategies have worked in Iceland and Ireland, and what learning can be applied in Caithness.

Organised by Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, the seminar heard about Iceland’s Planet Youth programme and the Icelandic prevention model, while there was information about Ireland’s Western Region Drugs and Alcohol Task Force from speaker Emmet Major.

Thurso councillor Karl Rosie, the chairman of Caithness Drug and Alcohol Forum,who also chaired the seminar, introduced other speakers, including Lesley Campbell, from Caithness Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services; Mark Richardson, from High Life Highland, who spoke on positive activities and youth perspectives; and Debbie Stewart, of Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, who spoke on prevention and partnership working.

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