DRINK AND DRUGS IN RURAL TOWNS

Violence in our towns and cities continues to be a topic for the regional
newspapers. Alcohol and drugs are indentified as contributing to the
problem. The Kildare Nationalist headlines its report "Availability of
drugs is frightening." It goes on to report: "Widespread availability of
drugs in rural Ireland is one of the most frightening developments of
recent years," says Kildare South Deputy, Mr Jack Wall. The TD is reported
as saying that "the gardai know of the huge upsurge in drug dealing outside
cities with drug gangs seeking out new markets in which to ply their vile
trade".

The Leitrim Observer has a front-page headline which says there is "Concern
at increasing level of violence among young people". The report, by Donal
O'Grady, says: "In a well-supported motion tabled at the last meeting of
Leitrim County Council, Cllr Thomas Mulligan, expressed his concern at the
increasing level of violence on the streets of our towns, particularly at
weekends and after disco hours".

The Mayo News reports: "A Westport man who assaulted three other men during
a row outside a local pub has received a four-month suspended prison term."
The defendant had pleaded not guilty. The Roscommon Champion reports: "A
young man who grunted at a patrol car in The Square in Roscommon was fined
pounds 400." The court was told that earlier the man had insulted gardai by
referring to them as "f . . . ing pigs" and was later "abusive in custody".

The same paper reported that another young man who "pleaded guilty to
possession of a knife in Roscommon town had his case adjourned for a
probation report".

The Donegal People's Press reports that a garda "saw a group of youths
trying to separate two men after a fight outside a nightclub. A man was
fined pounds 40.

The Roscommon Herald says: "Two 16-year-old students were taken to
Castlerea Garda station after they were found seriously intoxicated. The
students, male and female, were found suffering from what (a garda)
described as overindulgence in alcohol. Both were taken to the Garda
station and a doctor was called."

The Bray People reports: "Alarm at rise in heroin use". The paper said:
"Growing numbers of Bray teenagers are becoming addicted to heroin as hard
drugs make a return to the town's streets. Gardai have confirmed an
increase in the level of drug detections in the town in recent times, while
community sources say that heroin appears to be readily available in
several estates in the town."

The Sligo Champion gives front-page prominence to a report which says:
"Amid fears of a growing drug problem in the region, calls have been made
for a substantial increase in the number of gardai deployed in the special
drugs units in Sligo and Leitrim."

The Corkman headlines on its front page: "Gardai appeal for help in two sex
attacks over the weekend".

The Nationalist and Leinster Times reports: "A foreign national was
attacked and beaten to the ground by four locals along Tullow Street in the
centre of Carlow town in the early hours of Sunday morning." Four men were
later arrested and the paper reports that there may be further arrests.

Tourism is another topic which is treated widely in the regional papers.
The Donegal Democrat leads its front page with the news that "plans have
been revealed for a Celtic Music Festival which it is proposed will be held
across the county and is hoped will bring millions in off-season revenue to
the tourist industry. The festival is planned to run on a yearly basis in
several towns throughout the county, starting February, 2003."