SUICIDE MOTHER CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST DRUG DEALERS'

It's Time We Marched for Human Rights'

The mother of a Derry man who took his own life in May of this year,
has said now is the time for people across the North West to stand up
against drug dealers. Margaret McLaughlin, mother of 20-year-old Mark,
said that responsibility for the increase in suicides among the city's
young people lies firmly at the door of drug dealers who, she said,
target vulnerable young people.

"I don't wish to take away from people who are struggling with mental
health problems, but there it isn't a coincidence that in many cases
young suicide victims have been taking drugs.

"These drugs affect your state of mind - they make you paranoid and
vulnerable. People in the city will march for anything. We marched for
our civil rights - now it's time we marched for our human rights. It's
our wains who are lying up in the cemetery - it's up to us to take
action."

Ms McLaughlin has spent the five months since her son's death
campaigning for support to be made available for people who are
suicidal or self harming.

She said that while help is available, resources are overstretched so
that many people in crisis do not receive the help they need when they
need it.

"I know of people who have looked for help - who have banged on
hospital doors - and been turned away because there was no room for
them. I know of one young person who was turned away the very morning
before he took his own life."

To this end she, along with her support group Mac 1 Achievers, have
just secured the use of a property close to Buncrana which she hopes
to use as a haven or safe house for people in crisis.

"The house will have seven bedrooms and will be staffed by
professionals - counsellors and therapists - to help people when they
need it most. We are delighted that just this week we have secured the
property and we hope to have the centre up and running in the early
months of 2008."

Need Help

Ms McLaughlin said she believed the location of the house was vitally
important. "Sometimes when you are in crisis you just need to get away
from it all. The location is really tranquil and the perfect place for
people to work on healing."

Mac1 are looking for people to help run the facility. Retired
professionals who can volunteer some time are ideal.

"We've done this, but we need help to make it a reality," Ms
McLaughlin said.

Ms McLaughlin said her work with Mac 1, which has grown to have more
than 60 people at each meeting, is what has helped her cope with her
son's death.

"There are days I stand at the cemetery and bawl my eyes out. There
are days when I can't leave the house for hours because I'm crying so
much - but then I remind myself how one simple act of kindness can
save a life and that keeps me going."

Mac 1 have a number a unique fundraising ideas planned for the future,
but Ms McLaughlin is at pains to point out it's not all about money.

"We are here to promote life. To this end we are holding a sponsored
cycle of the Inishowen 100 soon and we don't want a penny from people.
Instead we want people to donate a pint of blood. That will make a
huge difference to the lives of so many."