€28m for local drugs task forces

Some €28 million has been allocated to fund local initiatives aimed at "diverting young people away from drugs", it was announced yesterday.

The Minister of State with special responsibility the National Drugs Strategy, Mr Eoin Ryan TD, said the money would be divided among the 14 local drugs task forces in the State - 13 in Dublin and one in Cork - and would be aimed specifically at providing services for young people.

Stressing the importance of keeping young people occupied and of providing facilities for them, he said: "If we can keep them interested in and at school that's is a huge part of the battle."

So far the funding has been spent supporting 340 projects including 68 youth and community workers, 21 sports facilities and the employment of 81 outreach/youth workers.