Cork City Council has agreed to establish a special
cross-community, multi-agency committee to address the growing problem
of heroin abuse in the city. Northside Councillor Jonathan O'Brien of
Sinn Féin proposed the initiative in an attempt he said 'to provide an
integrated and coherent approach to the problem'.
During the meeting Councillor O'Brien had argued that 'while Cork has
not suffered the same catastrophic problems of Dublin, nevertheless it
is clear, from both reports from the Gardaí and information Sinn Féin
is receiving within local communities, that the problem is on the
increase'.
'In particular the recent discovery of €200,000 in the Northside of
Cork reflects the growing problem and while Sinn Féin doesn't want to
spread alarm we need to tackle this issue before it gets out of hand.
We believe a united approach by all the parties, the Gardaí, the
various agencies and the community is needed. Drug abuse is a
multi-faceted problem. It requires a comprehensive joined-up strategic
response involving all the agencies and services with a role in
tackling the issue. It requires attention to socio-economic causes and
the provision of preventive and support measures within the community.
We believe that City Council has a key role in making this happen'.
8.10.07 - task force on heroin problem agreed