Heroin addicts in Bray have trebled, report says

The number of heroin addicts being treated in Bray, Co Wicklow, has more than trebled in the last two years, according to a new study. The Bray Partnership report has identified 67 addicts in the area, compared to the 20 addicts identified by the Health Research Board in 1996. Three new drug-treatment centres set up in the town in the last 18 months could account for the rise, the report says, with more people being treated locally than in 1996.

The Minister of State responsible for the National Drugs Strategy Team, Mr Chris Flood, said the report was a "compelling" argument for designating Bray as a local drugs task force area.

The report's authors said the real figure for opiate-users, those using heroin and the heroin substitute methadone, living in Bray could be more than 200. "The Eastern Health Board estimates treated users represented between one-third and one-quarter of actual users. Applying this multiplier to Bray, there could be as many as 260 opiate-users there." The report is critical of treatment, saying there is a "complete absence of local training and rehabilitation services targeted at drug-users". Twenty-nine "regular heroin users" receive methadone at the three clinics, at Ballywaltrim, St Cronan's and Little Bray. Five further addicts are also in irregular contact.

Seven GPs in Bray are reported to be treating 13 drug-abusers and 12 addicts are attending a local counselling service. Eight people with Bray addresses are being treated outside the town, the report says. Bray gardai had identified 86 heroin users in the town.

Most of the addicts are men and most are under 25. The report says the number will "almost certainly" rise if a similar study is taken again, as two of the three drug centres have only started operations.

In a statement, Labour senator Ms Kathleen O'Meara called on the Government to tackle the growing drug problem outside the cities. Most of the £10 million allocated by Government to preventive work, especially in non-urban areas, had been "given to another Department". All but £2.8 million of the money had been given to the Department of Health for spending by the health boards on projects directed at children at risk, she said.