Former prison training site could be ‘new detox centre for young people’
Last updated 21st Apr 2018
By Special Correspondent Damien Edgar
A North Belfast drugs support group is seeking to have a vacant former prison training college in County Down turned into a detox centre for young people in Northern Ireland.
The Reaching Out Action Support Group works to help people who have a family member addicted to drugs, as well as addressing mental health issues.
The members themselves all have experience of what it is like to have a loved one hooked on a substance.
It has reformed recently in response to the growing drugs problem locally and held a relaunch event on Friday night in the City Life Church in Belfast.
It has now set out the ambitious aim of turning Lisnevin House in Millisle into a detox and rehabilitation centre for young people suffering addiction.
The site has lain vacant for around six years and is thought to be valued at around £1.75m.
It encompasses around 48 acres of land, 27 residential buildings and a school building.
Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK which does not have a centre specifically for young people up to the age of 24.
The relaunch event on Friday night saw widespread political support with SDLP and UUP MLAs Nichola Mallon and Robbie Butler coming on board as patrons for the charity.
The DUP’s Paula Bradley also attended to offer her support, with the Alliance Party represented too.
R.O.A.S.G has set about raising support for the purchase and transformation of the site through a petition and plans to continue working towards the goal of seeing a detox centre for young people.