They’ve faced some very strong criticism online.
Fianna Fáil have released a statement after their social media team were heavily criticised by Senators Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Lynn Ruane for a post regarding the HSE’s campaign on cocaine use.
As reported previously, the HSE recently released tips on how users can reduce the harms of cocaine and crack.
After collating data from the United Nations, the document that was published by the HSE stated that Ireland features in the top ten countries for per-capita usage of the drug. The advice is prefaced by the suggestion: “While it is always safest not to take unknown or illicit drugs at all, if a person chooses to take cocaine they are urged to follow the following harm-reduction advice.”
The advice is part of the #DoYouUseCocaine programme, which was launched by Minister of State for Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne.
At the time of the launch, Minister Byrne said: “This is a very important campaign, focusing on providing information and raising awareness about cocaine among drug users and health professionals. Recent figures which show an increase in those seeking treatment for cocaine use is of real concern. This evidence supports what we are hearing from some services on the ground that cocaine use, and in particular crack cocaine use, is on the rise.”
She adds: “I therefore welcome this new campaign which I believe will play a vital role in communicating the risks and dangers of cocaine use to dependent users and at risk groups, as well as to those who engage in recreational use.”
In a message that was shared on social media, Fianna Fáil criticised the campaign as they said: “Let me get this straight. There are 1,000,000 (that’s ONE MILLION folks) on the waiting lists and the HSE are running campaigns like this? Perhaps HSE Ireland #YouAreOnCrack.”
As previously mentioned, the post was swiftly deleted but after Ó Ríordáin took to Twitter to call it ‘disgusting’, the party offered an explanation, saying: “We are not saying it’s wrong. It’s the formulaic PR look of the campaign. How much thought did the HSE put in to this campaign?”
This disgusting post has just been deleted from the @fiannafailparty facebook page.
I genuinely have no words. pic.twitter.com/BCusdrqsUA— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) August 9, 2018
Senator Ó Ríordáin wasn’t the only politician that took umbrage with Fianna Fáil’s post, which has now been deleted.
Oh good God.
They're trying to justify their disgusting degrading Facebook post with utter contemptible bullsh*t.
Just apologise. End of. https://t.co/jkBvNRrjLa— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) August 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/SenLynnRuane/status/1027480138924150784
Ok @DonnellyStephen & @MichealMartinTD – can we get an apology for this degrading & deliberately divisive FF facebook post please?
Which was clearly deleted because it was recognised as such?
And can we also accept this attempt at a clarification is tripe? pic.twitter.com/3cBFu23DzY— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) August 9, 2018
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