WE MUST BEEF UP WAR AGAINST DRUGS SCOURGE

The relentless spread of heroin addiction throughout our society is an
alarming development.

As evidenced by the investigative series of articles starting today, more
and more young addicts are turning to hard drugs in cities and towns across
the country.

It is estimated, for instance, that one in every five young males in
Dublin's south inner city has used heroin. The frightening extent of the
problem is visible in jails, where four out of five prisoners have taken
drugs. The continual failure of the authorities to address this issue is
appalling.

Significantly, some of those at the cliff face of the war against drugs are
critical of plans to deregulate the drinks industry. They fear it would
mean greater availability of alcohol, which is recognised as a hazardous,
mood-altering addictive substance.

It would arguably be a mistake not to deregulate the country's pubs, but
the Government must ensure the move will not lead to a drinks free-for-all
among young people. It is absolutely vital for the authorities to
rigorously enforce underage drinking laws in the future.

If the battle against drugs is to be more effective, the National Drugs
Strategy must target a broader range of issues, including alcohol
addiction. There is an urgent need for a realistic education programme in
schools aimed at alerting young people to the danger of sliding irrevocably
into a no-hope life of dependency on drugs.

In treating the victims of the crisis, more residential facilities are
required, staffed by people skilled in dealing with the emotional problems
of addicts. Policy-makers should also give greater recognition to and
co-operate more closely with community-based organisations in combating the
drugs scourge.

In some prisons, over 60% of inmates are chronic drug addicts. Hopefully,
the introduction of measures aimed at tackling this crisis, including the
appointment of a new director of drug treatment, plus the hiring of extra
medical and psychological staff, will go some way towards eradicating the
drugs epidemic in our jails.

Major investment is still required to help those struggling to kick their
habit. It is essential for the gardai to crack down mercilessly on drug
barons who prey on the most vulnerable in society. Unless greater resources
are invested in beefing up garda personnel in the war against drugs, this
modern plague will continue to spread insidiously.

Rooting out the supply network is paramount. It is a depressing but
inescapable fact of the human condition that as long as drugs are available
people will continue to use them despite every effort to stop them.