VIBRANT SOCIAL SCENE PROVIDES PERFECT MARKET

Galway's hyperactive social scene is matched by a vibrant
"recreational" drink and drugs culture. Ecstasy, at pounds 10 a
tablet, and cannabis resin are the main substances on the market in
the clubs around the city centre and Salthill, but almost every
substance is available - and almost every town in counties Galway and
Mayo has some level of activity.

Money does not seem to be a problem for some of the young people, who
can spend pounds 50 on tablets during a night out.

Heroin addiction is not regarded as a significant problem by gardai,
with about eight to nine addicts registered with the health board.
However, cocaine appears to be on the increase. The supply routes for
most drugs are through Cork, Limerick and Dublin, and the highly
transient nature of the city's fast-growing young population makes for
an attractive market.

The drugs unit for Galway West, formed last year and based at Mill
Street Garda station, is currently arresting an average of two dealers
a week, according to Det Sgt Gerry Roche, the unit's head. Over the
last three months, about pounds 70,000 worth of ecstasy tablets and
cannabis resin has been recovered, in street operations and combined
operations with the clubs. Drugs have also been recovered in county
towns such as Gort, Loughrea and Athenry. Mayo's scene is also
"active", if smaller in scale, and Galway is regarded as the hub for
that county.

Most dealers are local, but Galway has attracted traders from Dublin,
Roscommon, Donegal and beyond. The drugs unit of 10 was set up after a
survey carried out by Galway gardai in late 1998. Of the young people
between 12 and 20 who responded to the questionnaire, 36.9 per cent
admitted they had used drugs in the past six months.

Though not considered alarming, the survey indicated an increase of
almost 3 per cent in the two years since previous research carried out
by the Western Health Board.

The health board appointed a drugs co-ordinator in 1997 to work with
other agencies on drugs education, prevention and development of
treatment. Its report also identified the need for a substance misuse
training officer for health board staff, and a drugs outreach
official. Work has been under way on a multiagency prevention
initiative for young people in Galway.