CITY DRUG SQUAD TO BE BOOSTED AFTER POUNDS 3.3M HAUL

EXTRA drug officers will be drafted into Limerick City after pounds 3.3m
worth of drugs were confiscated there last year.

Limerick City Supt. Noel O'Sullivan told a conference in the city yesterday
that 80% of the drugs seized was cannabis, 15% ecstasy, 2% cocaine and a
very small portion of heroin. The Minister of State at the Department of
Tourism, Sport & Recreation, Eoin Ryan, said he was aware that young people
were experimenting with drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy in almost every
town and city in Ireland.

"There is little doubt that the areas with the highest levels of drugs
misuse are those which are experiencing the worst effects of economic and
social disadvantage. We need to respond to the situation if the problems
which developed in Dublin are to be prevented from spreading elsewhere," he
said.

The minister said sport could play a vital role in diverting young people
away from drugs. Through the Young Peoples Facilities Fund which is
administered by the Department of Education and Science, the Government is
supporting the refurbishment of nearly 50 youth facilities, 20 sports clubs
and 20 community centres in disadvantaged areas.