O’Dwyer calls for increased investment for Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol task force as substance use and drug dealing increases.
Speaking ahead of an online public meeting hosted by the Labour Party’s Local Area Representative for Clondalkin-Rathcoole, Chris O’Dwyer, said: “With increased levels of substance use, drug dealing and drugs tourism in the Clondalkin area, the Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol task force is going above and beyond to maintain service delivery for its vulnerable service users. They are managing to do this despite a decrease in their funding and an increase in their catchment area size. With more social housing due for the area an increase of funding is not just overdue but vital in order to combat preventable anti-social behaviour related to substance use.
“The primary approach of the Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol task force has always been harm reduction, this is an approach that needs a lot of resources. Harm reduction has a lot more potential for success than crimininalising people who caught up in addiction. The current approach of the State is a pattern of arrest, convict, imprison, release and repeat. This is done with little regard to the health and well being of those caught up in addiction.
“This vilification of those experiencing addiction is dehumanising and is failing to address the deeper social issues at the heart of addiction. The Government needs to park their bias and look at this as a health issue and not a justice one.
