Health Minister Robin Swann meets Derry Detox centre campaigner Tamzin White
Tamzin White has been leading a campaign for Derry’s very own detox centre following the tragic death of her mum Louise O’Doherty White four months ago.
It tragically left Tamzin and her two younger sisters without a mother.
The 18-year-old has been campaigning tirelessly for better services to prevent other families having to go through the devastation her own and many others have gone through in the north west.
Tamzin also organised a petition that was signed by almost 10,000 people.
This was submitted on her behalf to the Health Minister several weeks ago by Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Karen Mullan.
Ms. Mullan and SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan and Aontú Councillor Emmet Doyle were all present at the meeting this morning along with representatives from the Western Trust.
After the meeting Tamzin said: “It was positive overall.
“He is a lovely man and once I read out my story and what I needed to say, he said it was very powerful.
“My opening sentence was that I have three different political parties there along with me and supporting me, and he corrected me and said, ‘Naw Tamzin you have four, meaning him as well, so that was also positive.”
Tamzin said that while the Health Minister “didn’t say yes to a detox centre, he didn’t rule it out either”.
“Mark Durkan told him our campaign is still going, and Emmett give him statistics and told him about the Council backing the call for a detox centre as well, and Karen pointed out to him the lack of detox services especially for women, so everyone done amazing on getting their point across,” Tamzin added.
After the meeting, Foyle MLA Karen Mullan tweeted “Privileged to attend Tamzin White meeting with Minister Robin Swann along with Mark H Durkan and Emmet Doyle.
“To say I am proud of Tamzin is an understatement.
“I wish I had half her courage.
“Less than four months of losing her mum she is fighting for others #Derrydemandsdetox.”
Aontu Councillor Emmet Doyle tweeted afterwards: “Thanks to @RobinSwannMoH and @tamzinwhite7 for today’s meeting.
“The campaign for a detox centre goes on.”
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