BUSINESS GROUP SEEKS CLOSURE OF DRUGS CLINIC

The Dun Laoghaire Business Association has called for the closure of a
local drugs clinic after the number of addicts seeking treatment there
increased by 500 per cent.

Ms Ann Joyce, a committee member of the association, said local
business people were not opposed to the provision of services to local
drug-users. However, "we are concerned about the number of people
coming in from other areas and loitering, and causing trouble".

She said more than 100 people now attended the Patrick Street clinic,
some coming from as far away as Arklow, Co Wicklow. Only 20 local
drug-users attended the clinic when it opened two years ago.

Ms Joyce claimed the influx had contributed to an increase in crime
and drug-dealing in the area.

However, the health board's programme manager for addiction services,
Mr Martin Gallagher, said crime levels had reduced in the area since
the introduction of treatment services as users no longer needed to
steal to pay for drugs.

He said the EHB had agreed to a limit of 100 patients at the clinic.
While this was exceeded by three for two weeks last month, it was now
being strictly observed.

Dun Laoghaire and our board is committed to providing treatment
facilities locally for drug misusers from the area," said Mr Gallagher.

The local Fianna Fail TD, Ms Mary Hanafin, said an element of distrust
had emerged between the local community and the EHB since the collapse
of monitoring committee meetings earlier this year. She added that the
introduction of a drugs clinic in Loughlinstown, which has been
opposed by local residents, would help to alleviate the problem.