Bray Drugs Awareness Forum

- BDAF Newsletter June 2026 -

Our BDAF newsletter has been published for June 2026.

Items covered include :

Update on our schools programme activity 2025 - 26.
Update on STEM programme activity.
General drug use stats for Ireland in 2025.
A report on the BDAF AGM 2026.
Publication of our Primary School Programme Annual Report.
A parental leaflet with information on v**es.
A report on Nitrous Oxide (Fast/Galaxy Gas) misuse.

A copy of the newsletter can be downloaded here :
https://1drv.ms/b/c/21d0d60b3f12c106/IQB5JUXbsrIBQYL_QuGKmI2VAV536pjPu6vk16qn0eJN9oY?e=0l24Kf

- Teen brain development and alcohol consumption -

We tell our secondary level programme participants that alcohol presents particular risks and harms for the still developing teenage brain. As with other drugs like ni****ne and cannabis, modern medical diagnostic scan methods are revealing that alcohol can cause long term damage to brain development, when consumed in the teenage years.

We now know that the adolescent brain goes through a particularly critical development phase from around age twelve, until a person's mid 20's. This development process which aids general cognitive performance can be disrupted by alcohol consumption at a young age, leading to memory and focus issues in later life, as well poor mental health.

In advance of some 'coming of age milestones' like end of exams celebrations, first concerts/festivals and first independent holidays, Dr. Suzanne Crowe, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, spoke to David Mc Cullagh on RTE Radio 1, about some of the particular alcohol risks for teenagers, that parents should be aware of.

The 11 minute interview can be replayed here :

Warnings of the dangers of teen drinking Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin.