THERE CAN BE NO LET UP IN BATTLE AGAINST DRUGS

COMPARED with the vast profits of so called drug barons, the State
spend in combating one of the most evil problems facing modern
society, is relatively insignificant. While the allocation of pounds
15 million to help voluntary groups fight the problem is a highly
positive development, it represents a drop in the ocean when measured
against the enormous resources of the drug trade.

It would barely equal the value of a shipment of hard drugs
intercepted in Irish waters.

This is not to dismiss the importance of funding announced by Junior
Minister Chris Flood, who has special responsibility for the national
drugs strategy, but rather to put it in perspective. It is,
nevertheless, a welcome initiative in the battle against a problem
which takes its toll on every city, town and village. The money will
go to voluntary groups in Dublin, Cork and Bray, where local people
are deeply involved in schemes run by the Drugs Task Force with the
aim of creating innovative community responses to drug abuse.

Some pounds 10 million has already been invested in over 200 community
based initiatives.

Ireland has over 13,000 drug addicts.

In the Eastern Health Board area, over 4,000 people attend 42 drug
centres.

But the problem is widespread and drugs are readily available in
almost every part of the country. In tapping local resources in the
fight against drugs, it should not be forgotten the families of
addicts have a major role in the search for solutions, including
schemes to re integrate them in society.

Confronted with addiction, it usually falls to families to help
addicts rebuild their lives.

Parents and siblings of victims can offer telling insights on how best
to deal with the menace in local communities. They could, for
instance, contribute significantly to primary education programmes in
areas where children come face to face with the drugs culture at an
early age.

The allocation of pounds 15 million is puny compared with the
bottomless resources of dealers backed by multi billion pound,
worldwide criminal organisations. Based on a concept of partnership,
the programme illustrates that there can be no let up in the battle
against a problem now touching thousands of families. New addicts are
daily recruited by the ruthless dealers who, despite the effectiveness
of the garda crackdown on their evil activities, continue to prey on
vulnerable victims at the heart of Irish society.