Campaign highlights synthetic drug risks

A SYNTHETIC drug awareness campaign was launched in Cork yesterday by Nicole Ryan, sister of 18-year-old Alex Ryan who died after taking a synthetic high at a house party in Cork last January.

Model and TV presenter Vogue Williams, who is involved in the campaign, also spoke at the launch at St Peter’s on North Main Street.

The launch of a synthetic drug awareness campaign by Nicole Ryan sister of Alex who died of an overdose in Cork in January at St. Peter’s North Main St. Cork. Picture: Des Barry.

Ms Ryan and Ms Williams aim to increase awareness of the dangers of synthetic drugs through a public awareness campaign and posters which they intend to display in night clubs and pubs, first in Cork city and then nationally.

They believe that people are unaware of the dangers of synthetic highs because they can be bought easily online from websites which appear legitimate, and because they were once available in shops in Cork.

Ms Ryan said that the death of her brother proves that they can be lethal.

“Legal Highs Lethal Lows” is the title on the stark black posters to be distributed in Cork, which also contain a note from Ms Ryan about her brother’s death under an image of a cross, cut from white powder.

Ms Ryan believes that had her brother known the potential dangers of these drugs he would not have taken them.

“Alex was a kind-hearted, generous, larger-than-life character, but he was young and uneducated, as so many people are, about the dangers of these drugs which are made in labs by people who do not know what they are doing.” She said that Alex continued to help others after his death, as his donated organs extended life for four other people.

“Alex’s heart did not stop beating after he died, it continues to beat out there today.”

She said that since his death, people have come up to her with stories of her brother’s exceptional kindness, including one from an elderly lady who lived alone who he had frequently called to as a teenager to check to see if she needed any help.“I hope this campaign make people think twice about using drugs, to give people an option to make an informed choice,” Ms Ryan said David Lane, HSE Drugs and Alcohol Co-Ordinator in Cork commended Ms Ryan.“It is hard to believe that only months ago she lost her only brother. I can’t imagine how emotional this must be for her but her strength and conviction is truly exceptional,” Mr Lane said.