The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and representatives of the main churches were among the attendance at an ecumenical service in Dublin last night to commemorate those who have died of drug abuse in Dublin.
The service was in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sean McDermott Street. The area has a severe heroin problem.
The large gathering heard words from the main church leaders, a message from the Pope and music from the singer Christy Moore. The Liturgy was delivered by Father Michael Casey.
In his message on behalf of the Pope, Cardinal Angelo Sodano said His Holiness was "particularly close to those who [had] been bereaved by the loss of family members and friends through drug abuse.
"Since drug-trafficking is the source of so much suffering and so many wasted lives, it seriously undermines the fabric of society, making it necessary for all to be united in the resolve to eliminate it."
A spokeswoman for Citywide Family Support Network, Ms Sadie Grace, said the number of mainly young people who had died in Dublin as a result of overdose, suicide, AIDS or other drugs related illnesses over the past five years was estimated at about 1,000, "but it could be three times that."
She called for an increase in funding for families dealing with drug addiction. Despite the efforts of the Eastern Health Board, including its increase in the number of treatment centres and methadone-dispensing chemists, the problem was spreading across the city and beyond. The average age of addicts was falling from about 17 to 18 two years ago to about 13 or 14 today.
