EURO28M PACKAGE TO FIGHT DRUGS SCOURGE AMONG NATION'S YOUTH

A MASSIVE Euro28m package to tackle the drugs problem will be spent on
projects providing health alternatives for young people.

The cash injection, unveiled yesterday by National Drugs Strategy Minister,
Eoin Ryan, will be pumped into providing services for young people,
including sports and leisure facilities.

The aim is to give youngsters in the country's 14 designated local drugs
task force areas a chance to get involved in healthy activities in their area.

Each task force will receive Euro2m with not more than Euro.5m to be spent
on one individual facility.

Mr Ryan said the investment would give youngsters another avenue to explore
instead of going down the path of getting involved with drugs at a young age.

The investment, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion,
chaired by the Taoiseach, will be allocated under a new round of funding
under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund.

A total of Euro59m has already been distributed and yesterday's Euro28m
boost is set to further target youngsters, the vast majority of which are
in Dublin.

Recognising the important role that sport and leisure can play in diverting
young people away from drugs, the government set up the Young Peoples
Facilities and Services Fund in 1998 to develop sport and recreation in
disadvantaged areas. "Young minds need to be engaged and stimulated and
young people need to get the chance to take part in a variety of
activities," said Mr Ryan.