UNDERAGE DRINKING `DIRECT LINK TO SCOURGE OF DRUGS'

A review of the National Drugs Strategy is examining the prevalence of
underage drinking in Ireland and its link to the general drugs problem
here.

Junior Minister responsible for the strategy, Eoin Ryan, said the
review is trying to ensure services are there for young people so that
they do not turn to drugs. Education is also a key, he believes.

He said the review must confront the problem of underage drinking,
since young people can go on to develop alcohol dependence and
dependence on other substances.

``We have to hammer home to people that it's just not acceptable,''
the minister said.

As part of the review, a nationwide tour began on Friday, with groups
discussing how to tackle the drugs problem and identifying gaps and
deficiencies in the current response.

Mr Ryan said the review is expected to be extremely successful, given
the level of support it receives from government bodies and health
boards and from local communities.

But, he said, gaps still exist in the system, since there are
currently around 13,000 heroin users in Dublin. Drug treatment centres
in Dublin are treating around 4,600 people and this is expected to go
up to 5,200 by mid July, when new centres come into operation.

``We're trying to get a situation where if someone comes looking for
treatment we can provide it straightaway, rather than having to put
them on a waiting list,'' Mr Ryan said.

He said the situation is improving for addicts because local
opposition to methadone clinics is not as strong as it once was.

There are around 50 treatment centres in the Dublin area and there is
a growing number of GPs treating addicts directly, and pharmacies who
disperse methadone.

More rehabilitation and counselling is needed for victims of drug
addiction, along with training, so they can overcome their habit.

He believes community involvement is also crucial: ``It's the whole
idea of working together so that alarm bells ring when a young child
starts drifting towards drugs.''

* Meanwhile, the country's two main publican's organisations are
treating with caution a new venture which promises to boost profits on
drink sales.

Bartrader, a company established by a number of leading Dublin
publicans, has advertised extensively in the media, pledging to
provide a centralised buying system which is ``both fast and
efficient'' and whch, it says, will help buyers and sellers to gain
greater efficiency and lower business costs, leading to benefits for
suppliers, publicans and consumers.

But the Vintner's Federation of Ireland said it will not advise its
members to sign the trading agreement until the full implications have
been examined.

And the Licensed Vintners Association has said it will not comment on
the venture until it has consulted with legal advisers.

Some 275 publicans have already joined Bartrader and owners hope to
get more than 1,000 pub owners to sign up to the scheme.