Minister to include alcohol in new drugs strategy

The Drugs Minister Roisin Shorthall has said she will be announcing a new strategy to deal with the alcohol problem in Ireland later this year.

The Minister made the comments as she launched Merchants Quay Ireland's annual report for 2010 which found that the number of people contacting the charity increased by 26%.

Minister Shorthall said, while illegal substance abuse is a major problem in Irelande she also intends to deal with alcohol abuse through the National Drugs Strategy.