Anti-social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) will meet the needs of many communities ravaged by drugs problems, Minister for State Noel Ahern claimed today.
The Minister for State with Responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy said he backed the controversial orders and insisted people working on the ground wanted them.
Addressing a conference on drugs in Dublin, Mr Ahern said anti-social behaviour sprung from a multitude of factors, including family breakdown, alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, mental illness and neglect.
But he said Asbos would be an effective way of dealing with the problems.
"There are many misunderstandings about these proposed orders. I am satisfied that they can be used effectively to meet the real and serious needs of our communities. Strict Garda guidelines will be followed," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern stressed that a series of steps would be followed before an application is made to the courts for an Asbo.
The conference, Drugs: A Classless Problem -
organised by Dublin City Council, also heard €43 million has been given to the Drugs Initiative/Young People's Facilities and Services Fund in 2006
- an increase of 37 per cent on the 2005 allocation and a 61 per cent increase on the 2004 figure.
"I am very conscious that there can be no room for complacency when tackling the issue of drug misuse," Mr Ahern said. He said a mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy found rehabilitation had to be given greater priority.
PA