Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has made an early case for decriminalising the possession of drugs just as a high-level expert group is tasked with examining the issue.

The harm to two children highlights the need for the State, communities, and gardaí to unite to try to combat criminal gangs, says Cormac O’Keeffe.

THE country is experiencing a gangland and drugs crisis, with entire communities facing intimidation on a regular basis, a major drugs conference has heard.

A LEADING drug project is reporting a sharp rise in crack cocaine use, with half of new cocaine clients taking the highly addictive drug.

DRUG TREATMENT agencies and politicians have called for security to be stepped up at one of the country’s biggest hospitals as it emerged that the hospital is being targeted by drug dealers and is “awash” with illicit drugs.