'MINISTER SHIRKING DUTY ON DRUGS'

HEALTH Minister Bairbre de Brun was accused today of shirking
responsibility for combating drugs - because it would mean dealing with the
RUC.

Ulster Democratic Party leader Gary McMichael said a pounds 5.5m plan to
fight drugs at street level had been thrown into "chaos" by her position.

And he added: "The reality is that Sinn Fein's party policy is obstructing
the fight against drugs."

Mr McMichael claimed the transfer of powers had thrown responsibility for
drugs strategy into Ms de Brun's lap.

He said she should be sitting on the Central Coordinating Group for Action
Against Drugs, presently chaired by Security Minister Adam Ingram.

"If Minister de Brun now has responsibility for the implementation of the
strategy then she should naturally replace Ingram as chair," said Mr
McMichael.

"However, the RUC is represented on this body and it is my belief that
because of Sinn Fein's position on the RUC she has refused to take the
chair and this has thrown the Government strategy into disarray.

"I believe the allocation of the pounds 5.5m and indeed the Government
strategy itself has been thrown into chaos because of the dilemma faced by
de Brun over the central role the RUC plays in the drug strategy."

Ms de Brun was not immediately available to respond to the allegations.

But a Sinn Fein spokesman referred to allegations that the UDA - the
paramilitary group associated with Mr McMichael's party - has been involved
in drug dealing.

"I think it's a bit rich of Gary McMichael to be looking at the drugs trade
and accusing Bairbre de Brun of shirking responsibility," the spokesman said.