Athy needs a dedicated drugs squad with dealers outside schools warns local politician

Mounting concerns are rising about drugs peddling outside schools with urgent appeals for a dedicated drugs unit in Athy.

Labour Cllr Aoife Breslin and Supt Martin Walker have been  actively rallying for a dedicated drugs unit in Athy, since last year.

However, it is understood that lack of Garda resources means that Athy is not currently being  provided with its own drugs squad, despite rising public concerns.

Calls for a dedicated drugs squad in Athy to deal with a growing heroin problem have not been met due to lack of resources.

Despite a steady allocation of new recruits from Templemore over the last number of years, the number of Gardaí for Co Kildare still remains well below  the national average.

Supt Walker, earlier this year,  said: "I don't have the luxury of getting a dedicated drugs unit in Athy, there is a high rate of Garda injuries and attrition in Athy. If I had additional resources I would set up a drugs squad in Athy."

The drugs squad in Newbridge is currently being shared with Athy.

Cllr Breslin said: "We need a dedicated drugs squad in Athy so that we can get rid of the problem. I know of young people in debt due to drugs, there are dealers selling outside of schools in Athy."

She is quick to point out that Athy has a huge amount of positive aspects and that like any other town in Ireland, there is a drugs issues, and it needs to be addressed by a dedicated unit and more Garda resources.

Last night, a night of dedication to the works of  Sr Consilio, who set a up drug addiction service, in Athy, took place at the Kildare County Council offices in Naas.

Sr. Consilio showed great vision in 1966 by providing residential, medically supervised detoxification and addiction treatment services. The Athy centre  has a 117 bed alcohol addiction treatment facility and a 22 bed unit for those in recovery from drug addiction.

Meanwhile the Willow Project, for over 18s, has been established with the assistance of Supt Walker in Athy and this assists people who are still using drugs, giving them supports to stop.