INACTION ON DRUGS

Sir, - Promises, promises. Last May, during the election campaign, Fianna
Fail promised zero tolerance on the drug problem. It would have no mercy on
the drug barons and much compassion and services for the addicted.

Just seven months later, the idea has been derailed. Before the last
government left office it had promised £20 million to the community-based
anti-drug projects around Dublin. But this Government has scrubbed the
idea. It is putting the miserly sum of £250,000 into this serious problem
this year. When it saw £20 million going begging in the State coffers,
which deserving cause did it try to help? The GAA!

When the next general election is called, this U-turn will read very well
on advertising hoardings in the areas affected most by drugs. Poverty and
drugs are not high on the agenda of this Government, that's for sure. It is
a revelation to walk or drive through north inner Dublin to see how little
is spent on the living environment of the disadvantaged in our society. For
disadvantaged, read "forgotten by politicians".

Currently, a Christmas tree with the names of over 100 young people
attached stands in Dublin central. All of theses people died through
drug-related illness. Wouldn't it have been fitting to spend £20 million on
this constituency to make up for some of the neglect and lack of interest
in the area over decades? It's only too obvious that the Budget cake is
divided among those who vote. Those who don't have no clout. - Yours, etc.,

KATHRYN MULREADY, Calderwood Road, Dublin 9.

Sir, - Two headlines from The Irish Times of December 19th, 1997: Page 2:
"Agencies claim Government has cut funding for antidrugs projects." Page 6:
"Treatment of teenage drug-abuse triples in Dublin, report says." Need I
say more? - Yours, etc.,

MARY ELLEN McCANN, Director, Ballymun Youth Action Project, Balcurris Road,
Dublin 11.