Drugs centre and Minister clash over drug strategy

Merchants Quay Ireland, one of the country's leading drug treatment centres has accused the Government of not spending enough money on the treatment of addicts.

Research has shown that there are now more than 14,000 heroin addicts across the country, with the numbers for those using cocaine reported to be continuously increasing.

Merchant's Quay Director Tony Geoghegan has claimed that reducing demand would be a more effective way of tackling the drugs problem than reducing supply.

"The Government is currently focusing its spending on supply reduction rather than measures to reduce the demand and I would like a more equitable balance between the two," he said.

However the Minister of State Noel Ahern who has responsibility for spending on the drugs problem has defended the Government’s strategy and spending.

"I am listening and working with the local drugs task forces and now the regional drugs task forces are a key part of our drugs strategy. I am aware of the good work being done on the ground locally," he said.