Pubdate: 14 August 1999
Source: Examiner, The (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 1999
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Author: Fionnan Sheahan

HEROIN DEALING WORSENS IN CAPITAL

HEROIN dealing on Dublin’s streets is worse than it has been over the past
20 years, say inner city community groups.

Their view contradicts the statement by Minister of State Chris Flood that
the game is up for the capital’s drug dealers.

The Coalition of Communities Against Drugs says the heroin crisis is at its
worst for 20 years in some inner city areas.

“Reports on the ground from many areas in Dublin indicate the situation has
reverted to 1996 levels with regard to open street dealing, while residents
of some areas, notably the Thomas Street, Meath Street, Coombe vicinity of
the south inner city, state that the situation is the worst they have seen
in two decades,” a COCAD spokesperson said. COCAD refutes claims by
Minister Flood, who is responsible for the National Drug Strategy, that
there has been a sea change in heroin affected communities.

Earlier this week he announced the allocation of pounds 15 million to Local
Drugs Task Forces around the country. Both north and south inner city are
among the key areas to benefit.

“I want this additional pounds 15m in funding to go back into the work
being done by the local drugs task force groups set up across the Dublin,
Bray and north Cork city. These task forces are involved in the fight on
the ground and bring a sense of optimism to these areas,” the Minister
said. The anti drugs group acknowledge the good work carried out by these
Local Drugs Task Forces but questions the Minister’s optimism.

COCAD say the upsurge in drug dealing has resulted in an increase in the
activities of community anti drugs campaigns.

“As a consequence communities across the city are again beginning to stir
on the issue and the anti drugs campaign is re-mobilising,” the
spokesperson said. 
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