This article is from page 2 of the 2013-11-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
A SUB group of the Regional Drug Taskforce has been established to tackle a heroin problem in the town of Kilrush, as experts try to ascertain if there is a serious deep-rooted problem in the West Clare town.
Gardaí in Kilrush, in conjunction with the National Drugs Unit, have been tackling the supply issue with a special five-month undercover operation spanning the end of last year and the first quarter of this year.
A total of 1,400 Garda man-hours were used in the investigation and sting that resulted in at least eight arrests that have come before the courts so far. The Clare People has learnt that a special “drop-in clinic” for drug addicts was opened in the town eight weeks ago, to deal with the sociocriminal problem that has taken hold for the last year.
Regional drugs coordinator with the HSE Rory Keane said a heroin issue in a town of this size is usually attributed to a social-economic issue and supply.
Last week three of those arrested in the Garda drug ‘sting’ were sentenced in the District Court.
Meanwhile Mr Keane said the health service has been aware of a problem in the town for the last year. He added that a specialist team made up of the HSE Drug and Alcohol Service, Mid Western Regional Task Force, Bushy Park and the Community Substance Misuse Team, were now working in the town to examine the general drug issues including heroin.
The special drop-in clinic will close in the next few weeks and the body will regroup to assess the situation.
“It has been a concern for the last 12 months that there does seem to be a pocket of heroin use in Kilrush that would not be on other parts of the county,” said the drugs specialist.
“Availability would be an issue. The other concerns would be social-economic factors and issues of unemployment, motivation and poverty.
“A drug problem might come up centred around a few individuals or a supply issue in a rural area,” he explained adding that the concern in Kilrush was the problem was established for longer than would be expected in a town of its size.
“It is too early yet to say if it is a deep-rooted problem or a long-term episodic issue. We are not in a position to predict what will happen,” he said.
“My sense from talking to people is it is definitely a social and economic issue here,” said Mr Keane adding that it is no coincident that you see an increase in drug use at times of economic difficulties.
“There is a strong link between poverty and heroin. One of the challenges facing us is that it does leak across life and affects all facets of life.”
In Kilrush court last week one father told how he found his son in a “place” where drug addict go “to shoot up and smoke” not too far away from the court house.
Kilrush District Court Judge, Patrick Durcan described the amount of damage being done by heroin to Kilrush as “horrific”.
He asked that local businesses be vigilant and ensure it is not easily sold on their premises or car parks.