A chara, - W.G.A. Scott (December 23rd) complains about President McAleese's attendance at the recent unveiling of a memorial to people who died in Dublin's north inner city as a result of drugs. His attitude exposes his gross ignorance of the city's current drug problem.
By attending the recent unveiling President McAleese recognised those whose memory has been buried by the Celtic Tiger. She also gave hope to those families who are the unsung heroes in the battle against heroin in Dublin.
If W.G.A. Scott ever took the time to visit the affected communities of our inner city, he would learn that drug users and their families need all the support and resources they can get.
What they definitely do not need is people judging them and comparing their loved ones to murderers.
I live in one of those communities that has had its fair share of drug problems and drug-related deaths and I along with many, many other people continue to work with drug users and their families. These people are our friends and neighbours. These are families who battle with addiction daily in the hope that some day they will shake off the shackles and go on to lead a healthy and full life. It is these same people who continue to inspire me and give me hope that some day the views held by W.G.A. Scott will appear even more outdated and irrelevant than they seem today.
I challenge W.G.A. Scott to visit our inner city and meet the people he is so quick to judge. I would gladly be willing to organise such a visit if he would allow me to. - Is mise,
Daithi Doolan, Pearse House, Baile Atha Cliath 2.