Changing tactics in fight against crime

In its annual review the Merchants Quay charity noted that drug abuse is growing throughout the country.

Nearly half of those using the charity’s residential facilities in Dublin are from outside the capital.

The charity, which has needle-swapping facilities at eight centres in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, noted that there was an increase of over 15% of new users last year. There are already an estimated 20,000 heroin addicts in the country, with 10,000 men and women on a methadone programme.