TRAGIC ADDICT 'WANTED TO WARN'

A HEROIN addict who died from an overdose in Belfast had planned to speak
out publicly about the dangers of drugs.

Tragic Gary Cathcart (31), thought to be the Ulster's first heroin
fatality, wanted to warn young people they could end up like him.

Today's revelation came as the Government, in an unconnected move,
announced a review of Northern Ireland's anti-drugs strategy.

Friends revealed that Gary, a talented young soccer player who once had
trials with Chelsea, had planned to go public about his addiction after
coming off heroin last year.

Instead he was found dead from an overdose in a flat in Skegoniel Avenue,
north Belfast, on March 10.

The Antrim man, who had lived in Ballymena, had already spoken anonymously
to the Belfast Telegraph about how heroin had paralysed his face and ruined
his life.

David Warwick, who runs the Broad Range drugs education project in
Ballymena, paid tribute to Gary today, saying: "Gary was a real trier and a
very, very brave young man. He had been off heroin but must have slipped
back.

"He wanted to go public and warn young people about his experience and to
highlight a lack of support services for recovering addicts."

Meanwhile, Security Minister Adam Ingram, speaking ahead of a major drugs
conference in Coleraine today, unveiled a review of Ulster's main
anti-drugs campaign and policy statement.

Sixty delegates from the four Local Drug Co-ordination Teams attended the
conference in the Bushtown House Hotel.

Among the speakers was UK deputy drugs czar Mike Trace.