LISTEN: Public meeting aims to tackle Belfast drug scurge

By David Hunter

A public meeting in North Belfast has been told the city has to start tackling the scourge of drugs and addiction. 

Dosens of people gathered at Girdwood Community Hub last night to voice their concerns, and try work on a solution. 

Officials told those attending that people are dying and getting caught up in criminality as a result. 

The meeting was organised by the local policing partnership and Belfast drug and alcohol co-ordination team.

Parent's of those who struggle with addiction spoke at the meeting. 

Councillor Paul McCusker said "The devastation that drug addiction and drug deaths have right across these communities is shocking, and it needs to stop now.

"We can only do that together and we need the community to report things, the police on board and the health service to be properly supported."

He says a number of constituents have raised concerns with every political party in Belfast city council.

"We need to tackle the people selling these drugs. It's about getting information from the public on what's going on so we can really look at this from every angle."