Meath East Sinn Féin launch priorities for new National Drug Strategy

With a backdrop of major cuts to Regional Drugs Task Forces, Sinn Féin's Local Election Candidate in East Meath Sinéad Burke launched the party’s new drug policy document – ‘Injecting Urgency – Priorities for the National Drug Strategy 2009 – 2016'.
Speaking at the launch Ms. Burke said," We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past and it is economically prudent to invest in the fight against drugs."
Among the proposals made in the document is a reversal of the proposed cuts to Regional Drugs Task Forces, securing the future of the 'Dial to Stop Drug Dealing' project, expansion of Garda Youth Diversion projects, and the reinstatement of the sports capital grant.
She said “Experience shows that economic recessions exacerbate drug and alcohol misuse. It is economically prudent to invest in the fight against drugs. Failure to do so would give rise to mammoth costs to the exchequer. The drugs crisis incurs huge costs including Gardai, prison places and A&E. Notto mention the human costs to individuals with an increase in assaults, burglaries and muggings.
The cuts in funding to both local and regional drug task forces are an abandonment of the States duty to its citizens. These task forces are the front line in the battle against drug dealers. In the face of increased violence and intimidation from drug dealers, this decision is a disgrace. We have seen recently in Dublin and Limerick the length these drug dealers will go to to protect their evil trade. The State has a duty to meet this threat head on, with all available resources.
“The communities and families at risk from drugs are easily identifiable and this is where resources must be targeted. Our document makes demands of Government and State agencies to support these communities but also includes suggestions for initiatives which the communities themselves can take. The decision, in Budget ’09, to abolish the sports capital grant must also be reversed with a focus on areas most effected by drugs. This grant has been a key feature of the National Drugs Strategy heretofore and must be maintained and upgraded in the new strategy.
“The Dial to Stop Drug Dealing free phone line has been a major success in the communities where it has been launched and at a minimum cost. However, this phone line will cease to exist when current funding runs out later this year. It is essential that this key tool in the fight against drugs is put on a secure financial footing in the new National Drugs Strategy.”