Drug awareness training begins for hospitality staff

STAFF FROM more than 70 pubs, nightclubs and hotels were among the first hospitality workers taking part in a new drugs awareness training programme, which started in Dublin yesterday.

The course is specifically aimed at licensed premises and provides training on how to identify and deal with drug misuse. It also deals with the legal implications surrounding drug use on a premises and provides first aid training in the case of a drugs overdose.

Mary Kennedy, chief executive of Alcohol.ie, a company providing training on the responsible serving of alcohol, said this was the first programme of its kind to receive the endorsement of publicans and licensed premises. It is supported by many groups, including the Irish Nightclubs Association, the Vintners Federation, the Licensed Vintners Association, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Garda National Drugs Unit, as well as local drugs taskforces.

The industry is funding the pilot programme but it hopes to receive public funding as it expands. It will be introduced in Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny and Cork in the coming weeks.

Barry O’Sullivan, chief executive, Irish Nightclubs Industry, said nightclubs had legal responsibilities for staff and customers. “With this initiative we are trying to keep them informed on how best to provide a safe and drug-free environment for socialising.”