Government 'must recognise drug use'

The Citywide Family Support Network is calling on the Government to formally recognise the key role families have to play in dealing with problem drug use.

The Network's Philip Keegan says that not alone have families been ignored in official policy, but some of the responses to drugs within communities have had the unintended effect of isolating and stigmatising the families of drug users.

Mr Keegan said this problem is worse for people living outside of Dublin or in more affluent areas of the city, where it is more difficult to openly acknowledge and discuss the issue.