SINN Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan, claims that Limerick City is experiencing a severe drugs crisis, one which is rapidly worsening.
“More than one year ago my party launched a comprehensive document “Injecting Urgency” here in Limerick. If implemented, it would have had a significant effect on drug misuse.
“We can all clearly see the effects that the proliferation of heroin misuse is having here in the city.
“Open drug dealing and drug abuse on our streets occur regularly. We see the sad sight of drug addicts who beg on the streets to feed their habit”.
He was responding to an EU report that heroin misuse in Ireland was the most severe in the whole of the EU.
“It is at least twice that of Britain and Germany and indeed, across most EU nations.
“We want a reversal of the proposed cut of almost 20% to the Mid-Western Regional drugs task forces, a reversal of the cuts in special needs education, the reinstatement of the sports capital grant, the expansion of Garda Youth Diversion projects, supports for families of drug addicts, and security for the future of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing initiative.
“Failure to properly invest in and fully implement a comprehensive drugs strategy gives rise to mammoth costs for the exchequer.
“The drugs crisis incurs huge costs on prison places, crime fighting and local A&E departments.
“Not to mention the human cost to individuals, families, communities and society itself”.
