COUNCILLOR TELLS OF DRUG CONCERN

AN ANTRIM councillor has expressed concern that heroin abuse has
finally taken root on the streets of the town.

Ulster Unionist Adrian Watson, who was speaking out after the seizure
of heroin worth pounds 3,500 in Antrim last week, knows all too well
the devastating impact of heroin abuse.

For his cousin, Gary Cathcart, became the first person in Northern
Ireland to lose his life through a fatal addiction.

The 31-year-old Antrim man died of a massive overdose in March 1998
while trying to wean himself off the drug.

"I have personally witnessed the terrible effects heroin can have on
people's lives," said Mr Watson.

"The addicts pay a terrible price for their addiction, as do their
families and friends. Everyone they come into contact with becomes a
victim of this evil drug".

Mr Watson revealed there are a number of users already in the town,
and he is concerned that their numbers will increase as police
pressure forces the drug barons from their dealing dens elsewhere.

"I applaud the recent RUC raids against heroin around Ballymena, but
I'm concerned that Antrim could become a victim of their success. The
temptation for some of the dealers could be to move out and explore
new markets such as Antrim.

"We can't allow that to happen. All action necessary must be taken
against this scum".

These sentiments were echoed by the Mayor of Antrim and former
headmaster, councillor Paddy Marks, who fondly remembers Gary Cathcart
from his days as a promising young athlete at Antrim Primary School.

"I was very saddened to learn that a former pupil of mine had died as
a result of heroin," he said.

"I hoped that his tragic death would be a lesson to others, but
obviously the dealers have other ideas".

Supintendent Richard Meek, the most senior officer in the Antrim sub-
division, has said that no efforts will be spared in the war against
heroin, and that additional resources would be made available to cut
the supply lines.

And while he conceded that the high profile police actions in
Ballymena could cause 'displacement' among the dealing fraternity, he
has insisted there was no clear link between the trade in the two towns.

Nevertheless, he has stated that there is no room for complacency when
the stakes are so high.

"Of course this is not just a matter of criminal activity. We must
also consider the young, and how these dealers of death try to lure
new recruits into their web," he said.

"It's crucial that everyone with any influence be that in the schools,
the statutory bodies or in the community prevents the spread of this
drug. Together we must aggressively tackle this issue".