Unite-sponsored mural highlights dangers of drugs at interface junction

Unveiling event will be addressed by Vinny Hurrell and Frank Mitchell as well as Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly

June 1st: Speaking ahead of the event Unite Regional Community Coordinator, Albert Hewitt, expressed his hopes the mural would reinforce awareness of the dangers of drugs and save lives.

“Unite in the community is proud to back the #1PillWillKill campaign; this about saving the lives of young people in our communities. The human cost these poisons are having on our young people and their families is truly heart-breaking. The message we want to get out is that all it takes is one pill to kill.

“Working-class families on both sides of the peace walls suffer equally the toll of pills and drugs. As a trade union with proud roots in the communities living in the streets either side of these peace walls, Unite will continue to make a stand against this scourge.

“We hope that this mural will ensure that many more young people are aware of the consequences of taking unknown pills and drugs. We will continue our campaign taking the message out to our communities.

“The unveiling will take place today [Thursday June 1^st] and will be addressed by celebrities Vinny Hurrell and Frank Mitchell. We will also have representatives of the two main churches speaking as well as Unite’s Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly, who along with Jackie Pollock the deputy Regional Secretary, have thrown his full personal support behind this initiative.

“This Unite-sponsored mural is located at the interface between Twaddell Avenue and Crumlin Road, a focal point for community tensions in recent years. It is a sign of intent. Our union represents and campaigns for workers and working-class communities across the board.

“Workers need to stand together on the issues that really matter whether it’s preventing drug deaths, fighting poverty pay or demanding decent jobs”, Mr Hewitt finished.