DRUG FUNDING WELCOMED BY YOUTH COUNCIL

The news that the Government is to spend an extra £30 million on the drugs
problem among young people was welcomed last night by the National Youth
Council of Ireland.

The variety of different measures under the Programme for Young People at
Risk was a particularly positive feature, the NYCI stated.

The president of the council, Ms Jillian Hassett, said that to date there
had been a significant imbalance in the Government's approach to the drugs
issue. The announcement of the new package of measures would help rectify
this.

There was an understandable outcry after the Budget when the drugs problem
was not fully addressed. Drug use was the single biggest social problem
facing young people in Ireland, she said.

"The diversity of the package is a particularly positive feature. There is
a balance between resources for areas with chronic drug problems and other
parts of Ireland with potential and growing problems," Ms Hassett commented.