Seanad debates
Wednesday, 19 February 2003
National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Statements.
Senator Tuffy referred to the young people's facilities fund. It has done much good work although there is debate, even in my Department, about deciding who is at risk. For example, who should be helped in Clondalkin, Ballymun or the inner city? Is it the young person who has become a victim of drug misuse or are all young people in the area at risk? Many projects are being evaluated on that basis. For example, some projects in my constituency, such as football clubs, are annoyed that funding seems channelled mainly at drug abuse. They sometimes ask if it is necessary to be on drugs before money is provided. We do not want that impression to become widespread.
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