McCarthy said Robinson must provide cash to combat drugs devastation

11.16.00am GMT Tue 6th Nov 2007

Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has said that Finance Minister Peter Robinson must listen to the public and provide more funding to combat substance abuse among local young people. His comments come following the tragic death of 16-year old Dean Clarke from North Belfast, who committed suicide after a drug overdose.

The Strangford MLA stated: "Peter Robinson must listen to the public. He must get his priorities right and provide sufficient funding to the Health Department to allow it to tackle the devastation caused by drug addiction among our young people.

"The public pressure is mounting on the Finance Minister to provide the necessary cash to give people the service they are crying out for. Northern Ireland's young people are lacking the support they need to help those involved get away from drugs.

"We need more counselling services urgently combined with a crackdown on the drug dealers who prey on our young people. The police must do all they can cut off the supply. This issue is made even more disturbing by the fact that much of the local drugs supply comes from paramilitary thugs.

"Everything that can be done must be done to stop another young person's life being lost because of substance abuse. Action is needed now, and to create the services we need, the Finance Minister must provide extra funding as a matter of urgency."

ENDS