A Fermanagh and Omagh District Councillor has issued a stark warning about the dangers of drugs as saying "every time you take drugs you are taking your life into your hands"

SDLP Councillor John Coyle was speaking after the most recent Policing And Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) when the issue of drugs in the District was one of the main discussion points during the meeting.

During the meeting and discussions in relation to the 2019 Local Policing Plan, a main focus was on drugs.

"There is a culture maybe in the younger generation that dabbling in drugs and everything else it seems to be acceptable.

"We have so many people that have lost their lives because of overdose on illegal and prescription drugs and the message needs to be that drilled home, every time they take drugs you're taking your life into your hands. Drug dealers and people that supply drugs, they don’t care they just want the money."

Councillor Coyle added that with the Christmas festivities well under way, nobody wants a tragedy related to drugs landing at their door.

"It's bad anytime but Christmas is a time for family and spend as much time as you can together. You don’t need to be looking after your health and if people do find themselves in this predicament, there are services out there that will help."

During the meeting PCSP member Simon Wiggins said: "Year on year drugs are becoming so much more acceptable. Drugs are out of control from my point of view. They are so open and not hidden."

Sinn Féin councillor Debbie Coyle asked if there was anywhere for people to go to try and break free from drugs to which there was no definitive answer given.

"It is very frustrating from a community point of view. People do give information but feel let done when nothing is done. Where can young people go to get free from it?" asked Councillor Coyle.

Chief Inspector Clive Beatty responded saying: "That is a very good question that I don't have an answer to. Police are the last people they come to."

A worrying trend that was mentioned during the course of discussion was the emergence of prescription drugs in "party bags" with users having no idea where they have come from.

This was echoed by Chief Inspector Beatty who said it was "frightening" the amount of so-called controlled drugs available.

Responding to the use of prescription drugs by people to get their "high" Councillor John Coyle said: "It may not be as prevalent you have to make people aware it is not acceptable. Those drugs there to help people really sick and to take them for a recreational hiugh youre outing your health at risk."

Councillor Coyle called on the relevant agencies to get together to set up some kind of information evening to tackle the problem.