Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn today joined families bereaved by drug deaths and representatives from the People’s Kitchen to meet with the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt.

The party’s mental health spokesperson said:

“Today’s meeting was an important opportunity to press upon the minister the real devastation and pain that individuals and families are suffering as a result of addiction and poor mental health.

“Too many people continue to struggle to find the right healthcare for addiction and mental health, and sadly many of them will not live long enough to get the support they need.

“The ‘Jack’s Promise’ campaign group today urged the minister and his department to introduce a wrap-around rehabilitation unit that can treat people at their point of need and provide the vital follow up care that is necessary. This would be an important step towards improving drug addiction services in the north.

“More must be done to tackle tragic avoidable drug-related deaths in our society and I’ll continue to work with families affected and the other parties to ensure better and more appropriate support for those struggling.”