RTE IS RAPPED FOR NEGATIVE DRUG SHOW

A government Minister has criticised RTE over a Prime Time report on
Dublin’s drug problem. The Minister of State with responsibility for local
development and drug strategy, Eoin Ryan, said Thursday’s edition of the
programme failed to highlight positive aspects of how communities were
combating the threat of drug pushers.

“There are far more things going on the ground through the various task
forces than is given credit by RTE,” said Mr Ryan. Speaking at the launch
of a newsletter by the North Inner City Drugs Task Force, Mr Ryan said he
was annoyed and disappointed by the station’s portrayal of the issue. The
Dublin South East TD said RTE tended to concentrate on negative aspects of
the drugs problem. He told the programme makers that such a portrayal could
do a disservice to local groups working actively around the country to
fight the drugs problem in their communities.

“It is important to give people on heroin hope that there is light at the
end of the tunnel,” said the Minister.

He pointed out that 40% of addicts receiving treatment were able to return
to employment. “That fact was not mentioned by Prime Time,” said Mr Ryan.
His criticism of RTE was supported by the organisation’s chairman, Fergus
McCabe. He claimed NICDTF and 12 other task forces in Dublin and Cork had
made a significant contribution in finding a solution to the drugs problem.

However, Mr McCabe warned local communities against complacency. “Even
implementing the best models of treatment will take a long time to change
years of official neglect,” he observed.

Meanwhile, a Labour member of Dublin Corporation has called on Justice
Minister John O’Donoghue to introduce selective internment of all known,
active drug pushers for six years. Cllr Eamon O’Brien claimed the drugs
problem in Dublin’s inner city was out of control with no end in sight.