Drugs strategy ‘seriously undermined’

DRUGS groups have accused the Government of “seriously undermining” the National Drugs Strategy by slashing both the drugs and community development budgets.

The CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign said the savings under Budget 2011 in these areas will “prove costly in the long run”, compared with substantial increases in other areas, including funding to the Central Statistics Office and the Office of Public Service Appointments. The budget details the following cuts to the Department of Community Affairs:

* A 7% reduction in the Drugs Initiative budget, dropping from €36.2 million to €33.8m.

* A 16% drop in the Developing Communities budget, falling from €94.9m to €80m.

“Evidence shows that building strong communities is the best and most effective means of tackling the drugs crisis. By cutting development in our most disadvantaged communities this government is seriously undermining The National Drug Strategy,” said Daithi Doolan, CityWide coordinator.

He said that, in addition to the to direct cuts to community development, local areas were facing massive cuts to prevention programmes and projects by the Department of Education and the HSE.

However, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey said he was satisfied with the protection given in Budget 2011 to the 480 community-based drugs projects.

“I am confident that the front-line services provided by the drugs projects will not be adversely affected as the adjustment is approximately 1%,” said Mr Carey.

He said, while the funding will allow for a significant number of projects in the drugs task force areas to be maintained, the effect of the overall reduction “may result in the scaling back of some projects”.

Meanwhile, Alcohol Action Ireland branded the Government’s decision to keep alcohol excise duty at the same slashed levels as last year as “incomprehensible” in the current climate of savage cuts to essential services.