Projects working to steer disadvantaged children away from drugs will receive a fund of €4 million from the Government, it emerged today.
The money has been earmarked for initiatives in Dublin, Bray, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford city and Carlow town.
Minister of State for Drugs Pat Carey said they will target, through sport and recreational schemes, children who are most at risk of falling into substance abuse.
Mr Carey, who is in charge of the National Drugs Strategy, insisted that prevention through such initiatives was key to tackling drug misuse in Ireland .
Over 10 years, the Government has given €147 million to the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, as part of the National Drugs Strategy.
PA
