Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 February 2003

National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Statements.

 

My colleagues referred to some of the initiatives, including the provision of community centres, youth workers, sports workers, etc. These initiatives are positive and welcome. If we want to give young people an alternative to drug use and abuse – whether of alcohol or other drugs – we must ensure community and sporting facilities are available. It must be conceded that over the past four to five years generous levels of grant aid were made available through the national lottery fund and most communities have benefited to some degree. Given that the economic situation is not as positive as it was over the past five or six years, there is a possibility that sports and community facilities could suffer when cutbacks are being considered. We must argue that investment in sport, youth and community facilities will pay rich, long-term dividends from a preventative and developmental point of view. I hope we will not see cutbacks in this area.

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