Republican News · Thursday 13 February 1997
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Dublin Drugs Conference reports by Rita O'Reilly
Most syringe attackers not junkies
The majority of syringe attacks are carried out by criminals with no connection with drugs, the Corporation Conference was told. New figures show only 11.47% of people charged with such attacks over a six month period were drug abusers, Garda Assistant Commissioner Tom King revealed.
The findings sharply contradict recent reports blaming `drug-crazed junkies' for the increase in syringe attacks. They confirm concerns reported in An Phoblacht (30 January `97) about forthcoming legislation introducing five-year sentences for carrying a syringe `without lawful authority'. Because most injecting drug users use syringes without lawful authority it is feared that the legislation could affect needle exchange services and disease prevention.
Latest drug services figures show the age of drug abusers presenting themselves for treatment is getting younger and younger. Noel Towe, a Lurgan-born adviser to English local authorities told the Conference a study in England found that by the year 2000 the `deviant' young will be those who have not tried drugs.
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