Drug and alcohol addiction rises

A campaign on the dangers of drink and drugs is being co-ordinated at Dublin's Rutland Centre this week.

The centre and five other facilities are to hold a series of public lectures throughout the awareness week, dealing with all aspects of addictions.

The Rutland Centre director, Ms Maura Russell, said: "Alcohol and drug misuse continues to rise, particularly among young people, with a 50 per cent increase in addiction among the under-25 age group in the past 10 years.

"And an increasing number of women are presenting themselves for treatment - 50 per cent more in the last decade."

The "problem will inevitably escalate" without improved facilities, she added.