Former Mountjoy Prison governor John Lonergan has helped launch a drug awareness music video for distribution in schools and promotion online.
“The worst things to have entered Irish society in my 65-year lifetime are drugs,” said Mr Lonergan at the launch.
“I spent more than 42 years working in prisons and I have seen thousands upon thousands of families devastated by drugs. In many cases entire families have been wiped out.
“I ask you young people never to be tempted because the only result will be total self- destruction.”
The 10-minute video, entitled Why Do You Make Me Cry? was made by 22 girls and boys aged 12-17 who attend the Foróige Port Project in Portarlington, Co Laois, and tells the tragic story of a young man who dies of drug abuse.
The project is one of many Garda Youth Diversion Projects throughout the country designed to provide intervention to youths at risk of going down the wrong road.
“The whole idea of it is to highlight issues that are associated with drug abuse,” said Foróige media officer Jerome Hughes.
Portlaoise Garda Supt Yvonne Lundon said: “I agree that there are all sorts of new pressures on young people, like social media, etc, but drugs should never be the answer.
“I would like to remind young people that there is a lot of support out there for those who get caught up in drugs.”
The video can be viewed at YouTube.com/Foroigechannel.