AN ANTI DRUGS programme has had a "massive" impact on a housing estate in Tallaght, Co Dublin, the Dail Committee on Legislation and Security heard yesterday.
Members of the Fettercairn Drug Rehabilitation Programme reported that after 15 months of the initiative, the supply of heroin had disappeared from the area because it was no longer viable for dealers.
Twenty five heroin addicts had joined the programme and most were now employed, according to Mr Liam Collins, of the Fettercairn Community Centre. But he said there were still problems with policing. Gardai alienated some local people by clamping down on street patrols, even though there had been no shootings or beatings.
Committee members, praising the work of the programme, questioned the apparent reluctance of the Eastern Health Board and other State agencies to provide funding for such projects.
Mr Tony Gregory TD said he was "at a loss" to know why the State had been so slow to respond, when he had been given to understand that funding was no problem in the fight against drugs. Despite these problems, however, the response of the Fettercairn community to the problem had become the "blueprint for the future".
Mr Eric Byrne (DL) said that, as a member of the EHB, he was disappointed the board appeared unable to get involved in such projects at an early stage. But Mr Collins said that since he had sent his written submission to the committee complaining of delays in funding, more money had been forthcoming from the board.
The committee was also addressed by Mr Joseph Anderson, editor of the Shrew, a publication designed to expose drug dealers in the Tallaght area and to educate readers about drugs.
Mr Gregory congratulated Mr Anderson on his "pioneering" work, which he said had begun at a time when nobody else was taking a stand against drugs.
