Businesses urged to help tackle drugs problem

Dublin’s businesses were today urged to tackle the city’s growing drugs problem by joining forces with outreach workers.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Eibhlin Byrne, said companies have a responsibility to clean up the streets of the capital to attract customers during the economic downturn.

Around 450 users across the city supported by the Ana Liffey Drugs Project (ALDP) are to benefit from a new partnership with Dublin Business Improvement District (DBID).

A new eight-seater minibus – bought with a €25,000 contribution from DBID - will be used to bring service users to medical appointments, its drop-in centre, support emergency services, and take drug addicts and their young families on day trips.

The scheme is based on the successful Times Square Alliance model in New York, where 75 former drugs users are now working in its street cleansing department.

Ms Byrne said if people want a clean, safe city to do business in they have to engage with projects like Ana Liffey, her chosen charity of the year.

“If you have people either shooting up or high on drugs you have the option of calling the gardaí, but if you want to solve the problem then you engage experts to solve the problem,” said Ms Byrne.

“We need to do everything in the current economic climate to keep our city a safe pleasant place to shop and work.

“Alcohol and drug abuse need to be met head on.”