Midlands drugs task force fund cut by 90

The government has slashed funding for the Midlands Regional Drugs Task force by more than €1m over the past five years.

Figures released to Fianna Fáil have revealed that since 2010, the funding allocation for the task force fell from €1.5m in 2010 to €136,816 in 2015.

Deputy Robert Troy says that “the introduction of such a massive funding cut demonstrates that the government is simply not taking the issue of drug abuse seriously.

“The Midlands Regional Drug Taskforce is responsible for addressing the threat posed from problem drug use in Longford and Westmeath. It plays a vital role in minimising problem drug use and ensures that necessary rehabilitation services are provided to those that need them. The taskforce also works with the relevant authorities to tackle the sale and distribution of illicit drugs in the region.”

Although the task force has “proved to be a vital tool in highlighting the harm associated with problem drug use and minimising the disruption caused to our community”, Deputy Troy said it is hard to expect it to continue to work effectively given such massive budget cuts.

The government “has decided to introduce massive cutbacks to programmes aimed at discouraging problem drug use at a time when it is estimated that at least one person a day in Ireland dies from a drugs overdose”.

“I call on the government to wake up and recognise the harm being caused to communities across Longford and Westmeath due to the prevalence of illicit drugs. The necessary funding must be allocated to the Midlands Regional Drug Taskforce to ensure it can continue to highlight the problems of problem drug use, restrict the sale of illicit drugs and provide rehabilitation for those that need to break their reliance on harmful substances,” said Deputy Troy.