Dublin North East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Concerns to be Raised at Drugs Task Force meeting with Minister.

Published: 12 November, 2008

Amid reports that a 14% cut in Interim Projects at Local Drugs Task Forces has been proposed, Dublin North East Drugs Task Force member Councillor Larry O'Toole has urged a rethink.

Cllr. O'Toole will be raising the issue at a meeting with Junior Minister John Curran, the minister responsible for Drugs Strategy, later this week.

Cllr. O'Toole said," I am shocked and appalled that a cut of this extent is being mooted at this time of economic recession, when it is commonly held that drug and alcohol usage increases."

Cllr. O'Toole added, "Vulnerable people are facing even greater economic hardship and at this time the work of the Local Drugs Task Forces needs to be emphasized and supported more than ever. Here in Dublin North East particularly, we have seen in the past what a period of recession can do to already marginalised communities. I will be making the Minister aware of this and the potential damage that any cuts would have - I will prevail upon him to see sense, but in the interim I would encourage people to make their feelings and concerns known