Cllr Lauren Kendall urges support for those struggling with addiction.
The Green Party NI representative for Holywood and Clandeboye said, "From addiction to inspiration, suicide survivor Rory Sloan is using his experiences of recovery to help other young people. When Rory reached out asking for my support, I was inspired by his honesty, his drive and determination to help young people avoid the experiences and situations he found himself in.
Having been arrested for possession and intent to supply, former personal trainer, Rory Sloan found himself at the mercy of the courts, in despair and without hope. Following conviction, through counselling, help from Alternatives Restorative Justice and from mentor entrepreneur Tom Smyth, he has embarked on a journey of recovery and self-discovery.
Now a One Young World Leader, Rory has resolved to use his personal experiences to change the futures of other young people. Inspiring hope, and providing peer-support, Rory is launching ResoluteM;nds at the Culloden Estate and Spa on 15 May 2024. He encourages young people to learn from the lived-experiences of those who have struggled with addiction and asks people to support him on his journey to help save the lives of future generations.
Across Northern Ireland, we have reached a drugs and addiction crisis. According to Drug Deaths Taskforce NI, in recent years, drug deaths have increased to being one of the highest figures in Europe. The NI Executive must make this a priority in this mandate and a key area of work and focus in the Program for Government. We must do all we can to help those experiencing addiction, to support recovery, and to prevent drugs from ruining people's lives.'"
ENDS