THE SCOURGE OF HEROIN

Sir, - I work in the field of adult education in some of the less
salubrious parts of town and write to concur with the views expressed by
John Gallagher (June 12th).

Heroin is indeed a scourge affecting all tiers of society. The drug problem
has tainted communities such as Ballyfermot and Inchicore as being
drug-ridden areas to be avoided at all cost. It is difficult to change this
reputation and some of my students believe they have no chance of getting a
job interview because of the address shown on their CVs.

The reality is that in these disadvantaged areas there are decent people
doing honest work in an effort to give their own children a better standard
of living than they have themselves, largely as a result of inadequate
education. In the Return to Education programme which we run for community
employment workers and young adults in drug rehabilitation, we seek to
enhance literacy and provide computer skills.

The growth in the information technology sector is greatly to be welcomed
as an area which can equalise opportunities for all classes of society.

Our students of all ages are very receptive to knowledge in this field and
are more computer literate than many employees in today's workforce. I only
hope that employers will be more influenced by who a person is rather than
where s/he comes from. - Yours, etc.,

Susan Ward,
Palmerston Road,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.