Each year, a Northern Ireland charity is providing support to thousands children, young people, individuals and families.

Extern enables them to overcome their challenges, empower positive change and support family unity. While most may know Extern for their work with the most vulnerable in society who present as homeless, it is much more than that.

With the cost of living crisis having devastating impacts on families and individuals right across the region, Belfast Live is launching a new campaign to help Extern.

The 'Changing Lives' campaign will fundraise for money that will be used to directly support Extern's local addiction services and provide service users with practical items needed, such as clothing, food and energy vouchers.

In the most recent NISRA figures on drug-related and drug-misuse deaths in Northern Ireland 2021, the number of drug-related deaths registered in Northern Ireland in 2021 (213) was the second highest on record, five less than the 2020 peak of 218 deaths.

The same was true for drug-misuse deaths, decreasing from the series high of 182 in 2020 to a second highest total of 175 in 2021. Belfast HSCT and Belfast LGD had the highest age-standardised rate of drug related deaths per 100,000 population – 19.2 and 21.1 respectively.

Drug-related and drug-misuse deaths continue to be higher in areas of highest deprivation, according to the NISRA stats. In the context of the UK in 2021, Scotland had the highest age-standardised rate of drug-misuse deaths at 25.0, Northern Ireland had the second highest rate at 9.4,and England and Wales had a rate of 5.3 deaths per 100,000 population.

The Extern team of staff and volunteers help support people with alcohol and drug issues, ,homelessness services and mental health and suicide, among others.

The charity also works with people engaged within the criminal justice system, minority communities and helps with skills and employment through various projects.

Through this campaign, Belfast Live and Extern will support people living with addiction, with items that will change their lives in small ways. The campaign will also focus around positive messages of hope and encouragement with some practical advice for those struggling.