Angry activists to hold mass meeting to highlight problem drug use

ANGRY drug workers from across Dublin are to gather tomorrow for one of the biggest mass meetings of activists for more than six years.

Drug organisations and community groups claim the Government has dismantled the structures and services set up to combat the drug problem.

“We’ve been left with no option but to go back and emphasise how bad the drug situation is. The problem is as bad as ever,” said Anna Quigley, coordinator of the City Drugs Crisis Campaign.

More than 100 groups will gather in Dublin’s north inner city to highlight problem drug use and to launch a campaign leading up to the local and European elections next year.

Ms Quigley said: “Back in 1996-97 it was accepted for the first time how bad things were. There was a political priority and resources came through. That political will is not there any more.”

Moreover, she said the Government was actually dismantling the services:

lImplementation of local drugs task forces was being blocked at senior department level.

lTask force projects were no longer being ring-fenced and were being cut along with all services.

lThe much-vaunted Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund has been effectively dismantled.

lHealth board budgets have been cut by 7%-9%, meaning objectives laid out under the National Drugs Strategy cannot be implemented.

The National Drugs Strategy was launched by the Government amid much fanfare in 2001. Ms Quigley said the Government’s “commitment” to implement the strategy was meaningless without resources.