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A North Belfast councillor is renewing his party's call for further support to tackle addiction - after 37 drug-related deaths in just nine months.

The SDLP's Paul McCusker says more needs to be done in Belfast following the deaths - 19 of which were in the north of the city.

Speaking after a meeting of agencies dealing with the issue at Belfast City Hall, Cllr McCusker said: “The pain caused by drugs isn't isolated to those trapped in the cycle of addiction. It is an insidious pain that affects their friends, their loved ones and their community.

“That pain is being felt far too often in communities across this city.

“For over a year now, we have been calling for more resource to be made available to agencies dealing with addiction.

"Thanks to a lot of the advocacy work we’ve undertaken in the last 12 months; it finally looks like the waiting list for methadone in the city will reach zero by the end of November. But there’s so much more work that needs to be done."

PSNI figures presented today show 37 drug-related deaths in the last nine months with the highest numbers from North Belfast (19).

Cllr McCusker added: “An urgent review is needed to look at the current provision and to ensure adequate support is put in place for those suffering from drug addictions.

"This is an urgent priority for families and communities across the North. It must be made a political priority.”