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Statutory groups hold summit in Belfast after drug deaths spike

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker has hosted a meeting of statutory and youth organisations in a bad to tackle Belfast's drugs problem
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker has hosted a meeting of statutory and youth organisations in a bad to tackle Belfast's drugs problem SDLP councillor Paul McCusker has hosted a meeting of statutory and youth organisations in a bad to tackle Belfast's drugs problem

STATUTORY organisations have met in Belfast to discuss their response to a recent spike in drugs-related incidents.

Friday’s meeting at Belfast City Hall was organised by SDLP councillor Paul McCusker after a recent rise in the number of drugs related incidents, including several deaths police believe may be linked to drugs, across Belfast.

The spate of sudden deaths over the Christmas period prompted the PSNI to issue a substance abuse warning last week.

Earlier this week police confirmed they were called out to 60 cases in Belfast in December, where people had collapsed after taking drugs.

Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said the increase was not down to a 'bad batch' of drugs as had been the case previously.

Police say in the last 12 months they made 600 arrests and 1,000 seizures linked to the supply of drugs in Belfast.

Representatives from the Public Health Authority, Housing Executive, PSNI and youth services all attended Friday's meeting.

During the event a former drug addict spoke of his experience.

Mr McCusker, who chaired the meeting, said more needs to be done to tackle the problem.

"It’s about education, early intervention and prevention,” he said.

“The Public Health Authority have agreed there will be an awareness campaign and this is the first of many meetings to get the support for those who need it,” he said.