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Substance abuse in Pembrokeshire

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substanceSUBSTANCE misuse and abuse is a common problem affecting young adults across the globe, and Pembrokeshire is no different. Substance abuse is a patterned use of a narcotic which is consumed by the user in a method and amount that can prove more harmful to themselves and others. Substance abuse in not necessarily limited to specific types of drug and can cover a multitude of different drugs and drug-related substances including: alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamines, barbiturates, opiates and solvents.

Many young adults fall into substance abuse for numerous reasons, many do it for experimental purposes, a phase that they may be going through where the idea excites or interests them. However, a lot of people use substances as a way of trying to cope with difficult or upsetting situations or events in their lives. However, this is often counterproductive as the substance misuse then becomes an additional, much more complex problem. Substance abuse can also stem from peer pressure, particularly amongst teenagers and people in their early twenties.

This misuse can lead to a surfeit of problems, not just for users but also for their families and friends. Some of these problems may include financial woes, mental deterioration, relationship breakdowns, arrest, psychological dependence and even death. Pembrokeshire County Council propose to tackle the problems of substance abuse amongst the county’s youth by way of their Pembrokeshire Adult Substance Misuse Services, which offer support to individuals, and their families, who are affected by substance misuse.

The service provides a helpline and referral system to help people through any kind of substance abuse. The service is a commendable one and also works in conjunction with Dyfed Young Persons Substance Misuse Service and Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline, as well as West Wales Substance Misuse Team and PRISM – a drug and alcohol advisory service covering mid and West Wales with the idea of promoting health, wellbeing and positive change. One of the primary issues in Pembrokeshire that could be attributed to the issue of substance misuse amongst young adults is that there is very little for them to do in terms of activity or entertainment.

There needs to be growth and expansion in the way of entertainment facilities in the Pembrokeshire area – Haverfordwest Skate Park has proven a great success since its inception and is proof that investment can yield a positive outcome. However, this aside there has been precious little else of note for young people in the county. This is further compounded by the scarcity of public transportation and the remote location of the county from entertainment and leisure facilities. A combination of these factors has led to many young people in the area becoming bored and not being able to go anywhere.

Consequently, for many of them experimenting with drugs recreationally provides some form of entertainment, particularly if many of their peers are doing the same. Another symptom of the boredom can be petty crime, which is exacerbated by substance abuse, presenting a self-perpetuating cycle of destructive behaviour. Whilst it is important to educate young people in the area about the dangers of substance abuse (particularly if they are pregnant or around children) it is also pertinent to provide resources of activity and entertainment to keep young adults in Pembrokeshire fulfilled and interested, which in turn will go a long way towards curbing their impulse for petty crime and recreational substance abuse.

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Community

Mayor of Bergen visits Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

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IT was a Mayoral gathering when the Burgermeisterin of Bergen, in Germany, paid a visit to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre in the company of Councillor Aden Brinn, the Mayor of Bergen’s twin town, Pembroke.

There to meet Burgermeisterin Claudia Dettmar-Muller and her colleague Silvia Bothe were two former Mayors of Pembroke Dock, Councillors Pam George and Maureen Colgan, and trustees and volunteers who run the Centre. Joining them was Pembroke’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann Mortenson.

Trustee Peter Mitchell and colleagues gave a guided town of the Centre which has extensive displays on Pembroke Dock’s rich maritime and military history spanning just over two centuries, and its connections with RAF flying boats.

Pic By Martin Cavaney.

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Community

Wonderful night at Haverfordwest Library for special Poet Laureate event

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HAVERFORDWEST Library was delighted to be part of the prestigious Poet Laureate Library Tour for 2024 with a special event on Friday, March 8.
Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Cllr Thomas Tudor extended a special welcome to the guests of honour: Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; his guests Owen Sheers and Bethany Handley; plus the winners of the recent library Poetry Competition.
The poetry began with writer, poet and disabled activist, Bethany Handley. Bethany campaigns for better access to nature for disabled people, and her work explores nature and disability, challenging the barriers that disabled people experience.
Bethany’s first poem was heartfelt and humorous about her experience of visiting a beach in her wheelchair. Her final poem also drew on her experiences, being a compilation poem of many well-intentioned, yet impractical or inappropriate, advice that she has received as a wheelchair user.
Owen Sheers is an award winning Welsh poet, author and playwright. He has twice won the Wales Book of the Year as well as the Hay Festival Poetry Medal.
His film-poem, the Green Hollow, about the Aberfan disaster, was BAFTA and Grierson nominated and won three BAFTA Cymru awards, including best writer.
Owen read an extract from the Green Hollow, bringing the horror of the disaster to life. He also read poems about parenthood and his experiences as a son and as a father.
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
Simon launched into a poem about humanity, the universe and working as one. He then used his back catalogue of poems written for music. His poems covered some unusually random themes, particularly those he crafted during the Covid pandemic.
He said that he’d even written a poem inspired by a Velux window and read a beautiful poem about laying in a hammock watching a pair of newly-weds sail overhead in a hot air balloon.
His performances were engaging, humorous and moving and he brought the words to life.
Simon also spoke warmly about the importance of libraries as a child but also as an adult travelling about the country, with libraries always offering a warm welcome.
Ashok Ahir, President of the National Library of Wales thanked the three poets and introduced the new exhibition in the gallery, Dylan: The Lyrical Life of Dylan Thomas.
The exhibition is open to the public until 14th September 2024. Further information can be seen online.
The event drew to a close as Cllr Tudor issued the prizes to the winners of the recent poetry eisteddfod competition. The competition celebrated the language, culture, heritage and literature of Wales.
The theme was Dylan Thomas. Entries could draw inspiration from any of his works or seek inspiration from a specific quote: “from where you are, you can hear their dreams”.
Entries received were of a high standard and were judged by Wendy Morse (leader of the Haverfordwest Library Poetry Group, who would welcome new members, contact Haverfordwest Library for more information); representatives from the Library staff and the National Library of Wales staff. The poems will be on display at Haverfordwest Library until the end of the Easter Holidays.

Prizes have been awarded to:
• Sian Davies: Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, adult written poem category
• James Purchase: I Shall go Gentle into that Good Night, adult written poem category
• Philippa Davies: Dylan is in the Library, adult spoken word category
• Tony Potts: Windfall, adult illustrated poem category
• John Matthews: Dylan Cwmdonkin, adult Welsh language category
• Ellie McGrath: It was all a Dream, 11-14 age category
• Skye-Lea Jones: Are you Listening?,11-14 age category
Thanks to the judges of the poetry competition and to Faber & Faber, who donated the book prizes in support of the Poet Laureate’s Library Tour.
Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “The Riverside opened its doors in December 2018 and has enjoyed many fascinating exhibitions since thanks to the continued partnership with the National Library of Wales.
“The Riverside was one of just six libraries to host this Poet Laureate Library Tour for 2024.
“It is a fantastic achievement for Haverfordwest Library to be a part of these significant events, helping to raise the profile and regeneration of the County Town and I thank everyone who has worked hard to make the event a success.”
The event would not have been possible without the continued support from The National Library of Wales and Haverfordwest Town Council. The President of the National Library of Wales and the Mayor, Sheriff and Clerk of Haverfordwest Town Council were all present.

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Charity

Bags of Books returns to Milford Haven and surrounding areas this Easter

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THE INFAMOUS Bags of Books is set to return to Milford Haven and surrounding areas over the Easter holidays.

Milford Haven School who launched the project with Milford Youth Matters over 3 years ago are continuing in their bid to improve literacy skills and encourage a love of reading for pleasure by giving away over 700 books.

Thanks to funding from the South Hook LNG Community grant they have purchased books for young people of all ages and reading abilities and will be hanging them on the fences of the schools in their catchment area.

The community are invited to come and choose a book from the following locations over the Easter holidays:

  • Neyland Community Primary School – Monday 25th March
  • Johnston Community Primary School – Tuesday 26th March
  • Coastlands Primary School – Wednesday 27th March
  • Gelliswick Primary School – Tuesday 2nd April
  • Milford Haven Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April
  • St Francis Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April

Milford Haven Secondary School will also hang over 150 books on their fence after the Easter Holidays on Wednesday 10th April for those in our community who cannot attend the other locations.

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