A Co Derry teenager has launched a campaign for a local detox centre after losing five family members to addiction, most recently her mother.
Tamzin White, 19, believes that if a detox facility had been available locally, her mother would still be here today.
She says her mum wanted to "overcome her addiction more than anything".
Speaking to MyDerry, she said: "My mum tried every facility in Derry. It frightened her too much to face the lonely journey of getting treatment elsewhere without having me able to visit. If a detox centre had been open in Derry she would have went."
The Derry detox centre campaign has gone from strength to strength since its formation, from an online petition which reached almost 10,000 signatures to a large social media presence as well as support from elected representatives.
Tamzin added: “The politicians have been brilliant, especially in Derry. Cllr Emmet Doyle and Karen Mullan MLA have supported me so much since the start.
"The people of Derry have been so supportive since day one they have been amazing. I have never felt overwhelmed or under pressure leading this campaign. I feel the support of the community behind me."
The matter was quickly brought to the attention of the Minister for Health, Robin Swann, who conducted a meeting with Tamzin in May this year.
Tamzin spoke positively of the hope she has that her voice is being heard and wants to save other families from the pain that hers has gone through. She said: "He [Minister Swann] has an upcoming meeting with the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis and he wants to bring up my campaign.
“I know addiction is rife in this town, and I think everyone knows someone who is struggling. It may not be a family member it could be a friend, but I know how far-reaching the issue is.”
The campaign for a detox centre in Derry is not a new one, Tamzin explained: “I was weary about starting the campaign because I know Derry has been trying for many years to get a detox facility and I knew that people had lost hope in getting one. But people want one more than ever now."
“I want to do a rally in the Guildhall Square soon to show community strength and support."
"The end goal is for those in charge to listen, to enhance addiction services, to obtain detox services, to raise more awareness on addiction and just for them to listen.”
The DerryDemandsADetoxCentre Facebook page can be reached here.
For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.
