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06 Sept 2025

Drugs Awareness Symposium 2024 focuses on addiction and supports in Kilkenny

Drugs Awareness Symposium 2024 focuses on addiction and supports in Kilkenny

The event is being hosted by the Good Shepherd Centre

Reporter:

Mary Cody

05 Jun 2024 11:30 AM

A Kilkenny man will share his story on how he overcame addiction and turned his life around at a ‘Drugs Awareness Symposium’ which will take place in Kilkenny later this month.
The event, which is being hosted by The Good Shepherd Centre aims to shed light on addiction, its challenges, and available support structures.
The symposium will be held at the Pembroke Hotel on Patrick Street on Tuesday, June 18 at 12.30pm and will feature Patrick Owens, a former service user at the Good Shepherd Centre, who will share his powerful story of overcoming addiction.
Patrick will detail his struggles with substance abuse and the turning point that led him to seek help.
“Here we go again,” Patrick remembers thinking as he woke up in a cell of his local garda station. This realisation sparked a determination to change his life. Despite setbacks, Patrick persevered and found support at the Good Shepherd Centre on Church Lane, Kilkenny. Finding support, and crucially, a home, hugely helped Patrick Owens in his recovery.
Lisa Robson, HSE Clinical Lead in the Substance Misuse Service South East, will be a keynote speaker. Ms. Robson has over 20 years of experience working in substance misuse and will provide a comprehensive overview of addiction services available in the South-East, with a particular focus on Kilkenny.
Her presentation will explore emerging trends in substance misuse within the region and nationally and the challenges faced by people with addiction, including homelessness and family strain. Ms Robson will also speak about the existing support structures in Kilkenny, including those offered by Ardú and the impact of alcohol misuse, alongside other substances.
This symposium aims to raise awareness about addiction and the support available in Kilkenny. The event is open to the public and those seeking information or help with substance misuse.
“We are hosting this symposium to educate the Kilkenny community on the realities of addiction,” said Noel Sherry, CEO of the Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny.
“By sharing stories of struggle and hope, alongside insights from experts, we aim to raise awareness and understanding of this complex issue.”
Mr Sherry also stated: “Where there is addiction and poor mental health, known as dual diagnosis, there is an increased likelihood of repeated homelessness leading to chronic street homelessness.”
 “We see this on the increase and services require suitable funding and policy to develop service structures to support people at risk of chronic homelessness to exit homelessness permanently and enjoy improved health outcomes.”

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