Details of a £700,000 plan to combat drug abuse in Cork city were announced yesterday by the Minister for Education, Mr Martin. The plan, part of a national drugs programme, will include child-care for drug-dependent mothers and rehabilitation for ex-prisoners.
The Government would provide nearly £567,000 and the Southern Health Board would provide the balance for the programme which will emphasise educating young people about the dangers of drugs, Mr Martin said.
"It is imperative that we bring the battle against the drug barons into the community and that we work with the community and with young people to rid society of this evil," he added.
Six local anti-drug groups will receive £200,000 while £120,000 will be made available for a drugs education centre on the city's north side to provide training courses and educational programmes as well as conduct research into drug misuse.
A further £200,000 will be set aside to establish a community drugs team in the north of the city and further funding will be available to assist Garda community-based activities throughout the city, he said.
"There are a number of projects which can start immediately. For instance, we envisage the employment of a worker to assist community and voluntary groups in organising themselves and developing programmes to tackle the drugs problem," he said.
Research will be conducted into the experience and attitude of young travellers and their families regarding drug misuse, Mr Martin said.
He was confident education would play a key role in the fight against drugs.
"We intend to set up a schools support programme to assist schools in dealing with effective drug prevention in the school setting as well as providing back-up support in dealing with drugs-related incidents in schools," he said.
Further funding would cover child-care expenses for drug-dependent women who wanted to attend the proposed drug education centre while £35,000 would be put aside for a prisoner rehabilitation programme, he added.
"I feel we are showing here that we are not alone responding to the problem where it does arise but we are devoting considerable time and funds to educating our young people against the dangers of drugs," he said.
"Cork is just a stepping stone for an increased national crackdown on the problem by this Government," he said, adding that it was a positive follow-up to the pre-election promise by Fianna Fail and its Government partners to fight crime and drugs.
The Irish director of European Cities Against Drugs, Mr Con O'Leary, welcomed the announcement and paid tribute to the Minister and the Minister of State responsible for the National Drugs Strategy Team, Mr Chris Flood.
"I welcome this Government honouring its election promises and carrying through the programme of the previous government.
"Getting funding for the whole of Cork city is a major step in helping us win the war against drugs," he said.