A PROJECT which helps 30 addicts to stay off heroin has so little money its volunteers must buy their own disposable gloves. It is based in Killinarden in Tallaght, Dublin, where a nine-year-old boy is alleged to inject heroin.
The Eastern Health Board is considering whether to fund the Community Action Response Programme which says it was turned down for grant aid two years ago.
Meanwhile, the allegations that the nine-year-old boy is addicted to heroin have led to calls for more treatment services. The news "came as no surprise to community activists who for years have been arguing for the increased provision of drug addiction counsellors and treatment places", said Mr Eric Byrne TD, of Democratic Left.
Ms Liz O'Donnell TD, of the Progressive Democrats, called for specialised residential detoxification and treatment services for under- 18s.
Ms Ann Doyle of the community response programme, said the 30 heroin users taking part in the detoxification and maintenance project in Killinarden used to steal Pounds 300,000 a year between them to feed their habit. Four of them were now in full-time employment which, she said, was the best therapy of all.