A GARDA pilot project aimed at combating intimidation of families by drug dealers is due to be launched in December.

SEVERE staff cutbacks at the state’s drugs research body have had a “very serious and damaging effect”, the Government’s top drug adviser has said.

THERE are no researchers currently employed on the National Advisory Committee on Drugs – a body set up to conduct research with a view to advising the Government on policy in the area.

THE Government’s decision to combine alcohol with illegal drugs in one strategy reflected the reality on the ground, Minister of State John Curran said yesterday.

SCHOOLS, parents and even teachers are having to pay to get experts into classrooms to talk to students about drugs, a Dáil committee heard yesterday.

ALMOST €2 million was allocated to about 30 projects addressing cocaine use or providing rehabilitation services to recovering drug addicts.

A GOVERNMENT working group has called for an integrated framework in the fight against alcohol and illegal drug abuse, but has stopped short of recommending one combined strategy for both substances.

A YOUNG man was in custody yesterday after the biggest ecstasy find by gardaí this year, with more than 180,000 tablets seized.

Drug treatment services should be urgently adapted to meet the needs of Travellers, who abuse drugs as much as the general population , a study found today.

THE Government has spent almost €173 million on combating illegal drugs over the past eight years, it emerged yesterday.

Government funding for the battle against drug misuse has been substantially increased in 2005, Minister Noel Ahern TD announced today.

IRELAND spends the fifth most in the EU in dealing with illegal drugs, according to a new survey.

AN average of 140 people sleep rough on the streets of Dublin every night, a new survey will reveal.