The Dun Laoghaire Business Association has called for the closure of a local drugs clinic after the number of addicts seeking treatment there increased by 500 per cent.
Ms Ann Joyce, a committee member of the association, said local business people were not opposed to the provision of services to local drug-users. However, "we are concerned about the number of people coming in from other areas and loitering, and causing trouble".
She said more than 100 people now attended the Patrick Street clinic, some coming from as far away as Arklow, Co Wicklow. Only 20 local drug-users attended the clinic when it opened two years ago.
Ms Joyce claimed the influx had contributed to an increase in crime and drug-dealing in the area. However, the health board's programme manager for addiction services, Mr Martin Gallagher, said crime levels had reduced in the area since the introduction of treatment services as users no longer needed to steal to pay for drugs.
He said the EHB had agreed to a limit of 100 patients at the clinic. While this was exceeded by three for two weeks last month, it was now being strictly observed.
The local Fianna Fail TD, Ms Mary Hanafin, said an element of distrust had emerged between the local community and the EHB since the collapse of monitoring committee meetings earlier this year. She added that the introduction of a drugs clinic in Loughlinstown, which has been opposed by local residents, would help to alleviate the problem.
