A LIMERICK TD has called for increased funding in the fight against drugs and increased support for addiction and recovery services in Limerick.
Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, a director of the Mid West Regional Drug and Alcohol Forum, echoed a call from Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (LDATFs) for more funding and supports.
Deputy Quinlivan urged the government to increase funding for LDATFs, stating that these local services provide immense support in local communities and groups.
The recent Evaluation of the National Drug Strategy Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025 document acknowledges the role LDATFs play in the National Drug Strategy at community level, Deputy Quinlivan pointed out.
“LDATFs operate in the most disadvantaged communities where individuals, families, and communities suffer the most from the impact of drug use. Despite the challenging and important work they do, these task forces have had no increase in core funding since 2009,” he told the Limerick Post.
“I am in regular contact with the Limerick task force, and I see the phenomenal work they do on the ground. Their funding unfortunately has never been restored to pre-austerity levels. Despite their excellent work in combating the scourge of drug misuse, they have had to do this work on an extremely limited budget that has seen no increase in 16 years.”
According to Deputy Quinlivan, the Mid West Regional Drugs and Alcohol Forum has taken cuts of more than 50 per cent since 2008. Over the years, these cuts, he explained, have impacted massively on, and prevented, the delivery of drug and alcohol services that are urgently needed in Limerick and across the entire Mid West region.
The Sinn Féin went on to say that the drug problem in Limerick is more difficult, complex, and widespread than ever, and LDATFs need to be supported and properly resourced.
He said that “Limerick has become a hotspot for the sale and supply of crack cocaine — a most addictive and destructive drug”.
“There are many great groups on the frontline in Limerick who are having a real positive effect on people’s lives every day, but they are starved of funding as the regional forum is not properly resourced and hasn’t been for years.
“Most services will tell you they have a huge waiting list and that their staff are under huge pressure to often deliver basic services.
“The failure to properly fund these groups is a clear demonstration of the government’s indifference to the damage and devastation that drugs cause to people, families, and communities.”
