Galway is set to benefit from a new €2 million funding package to help raise awareness of the problems associated with cocaine use and to support the rehabilitation of drug users.

Pat Carey, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, announced the funding allocation last week.

The funding is being provided for locally-based cocaine awareness campaigns that will dovetail with the national HSE campaign, which the Minister recently launched.

The local campaigns will be run by the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces who, through their interaction with communities affected by the drug problem, are best placed to deliver meaningful, appropriate and focussed campaigns.

In addition, funding is being provided through the Drugs Task Forces to strengthen and further develop initiatives aimed at tackling cocaine use in local communities. To date, approx, €1.4 million has been provided through the National Drugs Strategy to support cocaine specific projects in Local Drugs Task Force areas and other projects aimed at polydrug/cocaine use.

Announcing the funding, Minister Carey said: "I am fully aware of the threat posed by cocaine use and I am confident that the funding I'm announcing today will further assist communities in both raising awareness and addressing the problems caused by its use."

Minister Carey is also providing funding to support the development of rehabilitation initiatives through the Drugs Task Forces, building on the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, which was published in 2007. These initiatives will assist drug users to regain the capacity for daily life from the impact of their drug use.

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