"ALCOHOL ITSELF IS A HARD DRUG"

SIMON John says there is no shortage of drugs like cannabis and
ecstasy in Galway.

"The majority of drugs are available in Galway," he
said.

"Heroin is now a problem.

"It is out there and there are dealers."

Mr John runs the CAPE Drug Prevention Scheme, run by Foroige and the
Galway Youth Federation. He operates a peer education programme, where
trained young people advise other young people about drugs.

He wants the see the following elements in the review:

1. Evaluation

"They should look at the good projects and recommend that these get
more money."

2. Peer Education

"I seriously believe itís the way to go. Itís been shown to
work."

3. Alcohol

"The abuse of alcohol can lead to harder drugs. It is a hard drug when
you think about it and you realise the damage that it can do to bodies."

4. Youth Facilities

He said that while Foroige and the Youth Federation had good youth
facilities throughout Galway, there was always a need for more.