14-YEAR-OLDS TURN TO DEALING AS ABUSE LEVELS SOAR ON STREETS OF THE CAPITAL

The Dramatic Rise In The Level Of Drug Use In Dublin's Rialto Has Seen The
Age Of Dealers Drop To As Young As 14.

In Ballyfermot where the number of available places for treatment has
almost doubled from 180 to 350 since 1998 there are still an estimated 80
people waiting for treatment.

Having faced the daunting decision to fight their addiction they will be
left with little choice but to keep injecting as they cannot do without
their fix unless they are given help.

These are the realities the people on the ground were discussing yesterday
as the National Drugs Strategy was launched.

Local opposition to drug treatment centres, reluctance by some GPs to
become involved in treatment schemes and a lack of resources in some
neighbourhoods will ensure the problem doesn't go away.

But many of those involved in the task forces are celebrating the fact that
the problem is now being acknowledged and that a long term plan which will
be reviewed in 2004.

Sheila Stone of the Dublin 12 task force said overnight success was not
feasible.

"They say that heroin abuse started in the Crumlin area," said Sheila who
acknowledged that the prospects of getting treatment had improved
considerably in recent years. But there are still an estimated 50 to 75 on
the waiting list in her area.

Ms Stone pointed out that there were hopeful signs as more young people
were in employment and there were less gaunt faces on streets.

John White of the Canal Communities task force said this means that the
cost of projects was racing ahead.

Work has still not started on a community centre in Dolphin House despite a
pounds 120,000 allocation and a pounds 80,000 top up.

The 14-year-olds dealing were selling 'soft' drugs but the concern was that
this will lead on to something else, he added.