29th April 2009
Local Green Party candidate Cllr. Dominick Donnelly has welcomed funding of €67,000 for Tabor Lodge, to tackle drug abuse in South Cork. The funding announcement was made today as part of a €3 million dormant account funding package released by the Government.
Cllr. Donnelly said: “Drug abuse is a serious problem that has far-reaching effects for families, workers and for the health authorities in this area. I welcome today’s funding as a step towards the battle of drug addiction and hope it will go some way towards helping those affected. In particular I hope this funding will support families affected by drug abuse who can in return support and re-engage with their loved ones who are addicted to drugs.”
The mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy in 2005 identified the provision of family support services as crucial in delivering the strategic aim of reducing harm to families. €1.56m of the funding announced today will support 80 such projects across the country.
Cllr Donnelly said: “We all know someone who is addicted to drugs or a family affected by drug addiction. Serious addictions lead to further problems like crime, anti-social behaviour and homelessness. We must tackle this problem to solve other problems in our area. Tabor Lodge has an excellent track record in helping people with addictions and their families. I also welcome the provision of homelessness funding today, under the same funding package.”