Study reveals rise in racial abuse at drug-treatment centre

THERE has been an upsurge in racial abuse against staff at the country’s main drug treatment centre, according to a new study.

The report said female drug addicts were more likely to be violent than male addicts. It found 80% of those physically aggressive tested positive for benzodiazepines, which are legally prescribed tranquillisers.

The research found there were 295 documented incidents of violent or aggressive behaviour by clients at the Drug Treatment Centre Board (DTCB). Of these: