State has lost impetus on drugs, says activist

THE largest voluntary drug treatment centre in the State has accused the Government of turning its back on the National Drug Strategy by cutting budgets and placing a moratorium on the recruitment of staff to addiction services.

Tony Geoghegan, director of Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), said it would only be possible to make inroads into the country’s drug problem if the promised resources were put in place.

“There is a lack of commitment to follow through on the strategy. It’s lost its impetus and the Government has become complacent about it,” he said.