the Irish News Special - Holy Cross Primary Stand Off

15 Holy Cross pupils on sedatives says GP

TERRIFIED children of Holy Cross primary school are being prescribed sedatives and tranquillisers to cope with the trauma of the loyalist protest, it has emerged.

The devastating psychological toll of the violence in Ardoyne has left children as young as four unable to sleep, experiencing nightmares, flashbacks and bed-wetting.

Last night the unprecedented scale of the crisis sparked calls for a concerted strategy from health chiefs – or risk the prospect of children facing deep emotional scars and potential drug problems.

On Tuesday the Irish News carried reports warning that the trouble in Ardoyne could leave children traumatised.

Last night Dr Michael Tan, a GP working in the heart of Ardoyne, confirmed that the “nightmare scenario” had already started to emerge.

“Since Monday I’ve had parents coming in with their kids bed-wetting, refusing to go to school, nightmares – all the symptoms of post-traumatic stress,” Dr Tan said.

“I’ve worked here for 10 years and I’ve seen these symptoms before – but never to such an extent in young children.”

Dr Tan has already treated at least 15 children, some of whom were caught up in the panic after Wednesday’s blast bomb.

He revealed that some aged four and five were being treated with mild sedatives but
children in the older age bracket had been pres-
cribed stronger tranquillisers
such as diazepam.

“I am extremely concerned about children having to take tranquillisers at such a young age,” he said.

“These are families who would not use or abuse prescription drugs. But if this violence continues I can see people having to request repeat prescriptions and a new generation forced to rely on drugs.”

The GP said it was vital a long-term strategy was implemented to cope with the crisis and warned that the full impact of the psychological damage had yet to emerge.

He added: “If this is not tackled now it is going to set a terrible pattern for the future.”

The stark warning was echoed by Clifton Street GP Dr Martin Donnelly, who also predicted that the problem would get worse in the coming weeks.

Last night chairman of the assembly’s health committee GP Dr Joe Hendron called for a coordinated campaign of counselling and support for the children and their families.

“I’ve seen the terrible impact of the violence of the last 30 years but this situation is quite unique,” he said.

Meanwhile, leading children’s charities called for a resolution of the dispute.

NSPCC (NI) director Ian Elliot said all children must have the right to be educated in a safe and secure environment that was conducive to learning.

Last night a US State Department spokesman condemned the protests. He said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms the threats against the young girls and their families by paramilitaries and call on all sides to show restraint during this time and ask that the political leaders publicly denounce this continued violence.”