The week's events are being organised by the Western Region Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

SMART Recovery support individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviours by teaching how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions.

Drugs counsellors say it's young farmers aged 18 to 30 who are most affected.

The pandemic meant people were gambling in their homes and losing more and more money.

The Athlone service has seen a significant increase in people seeking help.

Nationally, the numbers seeking help for cocaine addiction have surged by up to 400%.

People who require the help of addiction services and support groups in the region can still attend meetings where more than six people are present.

Just under fifty people across the Shannonside Northern Sound r region were treated for cocaine addiction last year. According to new figures published by the