On Wednesday 25th September 2013 at the annual BBQ hosted by the Cornmarket
Project and held in the grounds of the Wexford Local Development complex, the tenth
anniversary of the Cornmarket Project Family Support Group was celebrated. Pat Rath,
chairman of WLD paid tribute to the work of the group over the past decade. He presented
a plaque to the family members which was produced by recovering drug users attending
the project.

Speaking at the presentation attended by 120 people he stated “Since the establishment
of the Cornmarket Project fourteen years ago, drug abuse, which has caused misery and
continues to impact many communities in Wexford, has brought particular pain to the
families of drug addicts. These families have not only had to cope with what is happening
to their loved ones through drug addiction, but have often experienced loneliness, isolation
and despair in trying to deal with the problem”

Paul Delaney, coordinator of the Cornmarket Project, further explained that in 2003, in an
effort to redress this isolation and stigmatisation, the Cornmarket Project responded by
forming the Family Support Group. In this group, family members have an opportunity to
share experiences and provide one another with support.

He further added that the family support group is a place where families can come to
speak about their disappointment, anger, manipulation, hurt, fear and many other emotions
that are experienced when a family member is using drugs. It is a place where those
affected by drug use in the family can become empowered and gain strength to deal with
negative emotions and further develop positive emotions.

Ms. Breda de Gaye, one of the facilitators of the group stated “Coming to a family support
group for help is not an admission of failure but a way of finding strength. Most families
dealing with drug use are looking for answers. ‘How can I help my child?’ In many cases
family members don’t realise they need help for themselves. They have been affected
more than they could have believed”

The family support group meets on Wednesday nights at 7.30 pm in the premises of the
Cornmarket Project, Old County Hall building, Spawell Road in Wexford and all those
affected by another’s drug use in the family are very welcome. You can contact the group
or find out more information by phoning the confidential line 0539144931 or Breda on 085
2723452 and email wxfordfsg@gmail.com