THE Government has been urged to put more effort into dealing with drug addiction through rehabilitation rather than by jailing drug users.
At the formal opening of a residential centre for drug-users in Dublin yesterday Father Sean Cassin, director of the Merchant's Quay Drug Project, said he hoped there would be "less and less imprisonment of groups whose lives are often one long prison".
He said the Government needed to realise the "futility" of prison, and concentrate on ending the "social destitution" that led to drug use.
The new centre at High Park, Drumcondra, offers a three-month programme of detoxification, counselling and therapy. It can accommodate 12 residents, whereas just 27 beds are offered by the Eastern Health Board for the whole of Dublin, which has an estimated 7,000 opiate addicts.
The centre has been in operation for some months. Despite initial resistance it is now supported by local residents. The project began with a letter from the Franciscans at Merchant's Quay to 30 religious orders asking for help to find a property for a residential drug centre. Only the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity at High Park responded by offering a building.
Merchant's Quay is funded by the Probation and Welfare Service, FAS, the EHB and business groups. The centre was formally opened by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr Austin Currie.