The supply of drugs into prisons “seriously undermines” the ability of inmates to kick the habit, the country’s largest voluntary drug and homeless organisation has said.
Tony Geoghegan, director of Merchants Quay Ireland, backed the Irish Prison Service’s creation of a confidential helpline to combat the smuggling of drugs.
Speaking at the launch of the service, Mr Geoghegan said many inmates had drug problems and that prison provided treatment opportunities for them.
“Ambivalence is at the core of addiction,” he said. “They want to be drug free, but old habits die hard. The lure of drugs is very strong. There is no doubt that the availability of drugs within prisons seriously undermines people’s efforts to lead a better life and leave drugs behind.”
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 07/07/15