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23/09/2011
Alcohol And Drug Use Problems In Focus
People can become addicted to alcohol for less than €10 a week, it has been revealed.
The low cost selling of alcohol, misuse of some prescription drugs and the availability and supply of illegal drugs are impacting on the lives of people, in particular young people, so says the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD).
Minister of State, Roisin Shortall met yesterday with the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children and the NACD, to discuss the issue of drug abuse and illegal drug use.
The Minister outlined for the Committee the objectives of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 to 2016 through the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.
As well as this the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users so that they can achieve a life without drugs was also discuseed.
Following the meeting, Jerry Buttimer, Chairman of the Committee on Health and Children said: "The low cost selling of alcohol and the explosion of outlets where alcohol can be purchased continues to cause problems for the health and welfare of our people, especially our young people."
Meanwhile the Garda and Customs service continues to try and reduce the supply of drugs in Ireland
Mr Buttimer said: "Some cannabis grow houses have been uncovered and this is welcome, but the development of these grow houses causes concern as the cannabis now available is of a much stronger nature than what was grown before. The activity of headshops in Ireland has been drastically reduced and the number of headshops has dropped from 102 to 12."
The meeting was the last in a series that the Committee has had with the various stakeholders and interested bodies. The Committee will now commence the drafting of its report into the problems caused by illegal drug use and drug abuse in Ireland.
(LB/BMcC)
The low cost selling of alcohol, misuse of some prescription drugs and the availability and supply of illegal drugs are impacting on the lives of people, in particular young people, so says the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD).
Minister of State, Roisin Shortall met yesterday with the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children and the NACD, to discuss the issue of drug abuse and illegal drug use.
The Minister outlined for the Committee the objectives of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 to 2016 through the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research.
As well as this the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users so that they can achieve a life without drugs was also discuseed.
Following the meeting, Jerry Buttimer, Chairman of the Committee on Health and Children said: "The low cost selling of alcohol and the explosion of outlets where alcohol can be purchased continues to cause problems for the health and welfare of our people, especially our young people."
Meanwhile the Garda and Customs service continues to try and reduce the supply of drugs in Ireland
Mr Buttimer said: "Some cannabis grow houses have been uncovered and this is welcome, but the development of these grow houses causes concern as the cannabis now available is of a much stronger nature than what was grown before. The activity of headshops in Ireland has been drastically reduced and the number of headshops has dropped from 102 to 12."
The meeting was the last in a series that the Committee has had with the various stakeholders and interested bodies. The Committee will now commence the drafting of its report into the problems caused by illegal drug use and drug abuse in Ireland.
(LB/BMcC)
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A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and “crack” cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
