Growth in numbers of drug abusers and homeless

The annual report of Merchant's Quay Ireland, a leading drug abuse and homeless charity, shows the numbers availing of their service is up 9%.

The charity’s figures show 678 new drug users attended its Health Promotion Unit in central Dublin last year.

The figure for those using homeless services was more than 1,600.

Director Tony Geoghegan says the growth in numbers is very worrying and a new approach needs to be taken to combat it. He says that local authorities, gardaí and community groups need to work more closely with drug service providers.