Drugs supply ‘stops inmates kicking the habit’

The supply of drugs into prisons “seriously undermines” the ability of inmates to kick the habit, the country’s largest voluntary drug and homeless organisation has said.

Tony Geoghegan, director of Merchants Quay Ireland, backed the Irish Prison Service’s creation of a confidential helpline to combat the smuggling of drugs.

Speaking at the launch of the service, Mr Geoghegan said many inmates had drug problems and that prison provided treatment opportunities for them.