The father of a Derry teenager who died from inhaling butane gas has warned that there is a serious need for both short-term and long-term facilities to tackle addiction and mental health issues.
Martin Connolly said that the drug mephedrone was ‘wreaking havoc’ on young people and their families across Derry.
He said this was being compounded by underlying mental health and other issues affecting youths locally.
Mr Connolly (picturedabove) was speaking after laying flowers on the grave of his son Martin (Mac) last week on what would have been his 32nd birthday.
The schoolboy died back in October 1997 just shy of his 16th birthday.
He had collapsed with toxic poisoning after sniffing butane gas from an aerosol can.
Young Martin’s death caused shockwaves across Derry and led to the setting up of the Divert Project and a number of other initiatives.
Back in 2000, Martin’s father and young friends became involved in making a video about his death. The hard-hitting short video entitled ‘Mac’ includes a dramatic recreation of what happened to Martin and was recently posted on Youtube.
Mr Connolly has been a leading voice among the calls for better addiction facilities for youth since his son’s death, and has also been involved in diversionary, recreation sand employment projects for young people.
Missing Derry teenager Andrew Quigley was among those mentored by Mr Connolly over recent years.
Andrew Quigley, who had developed a problem with drugs, has not been seen since January 18th but his personal belongings were found no the Foyle Bridge.
The 19-year-old’s family have been leading daily searches for his remains along the banks of the river since he disappeared.
His mother Colette spoke about her own difficulties in trying to get adequate help for her son’s problems in the years before his death, at a rally ten days ago in the city centre.
Since then, over 10,000 people have now signed a Facebook petition calling for a Detox Unit in Derry, with a meeting taking place this Wednesday night at the City Hotel to progress the campaign.

See today's Derry News for an extensive interview with Martin Connolly.

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