McCabe resigned over lack of funding for drug task forces

IT was people power that dragged the drugs problem to the top of the political agenda in 1996.

The mass street campaigns by working class Dubliners throughout that summer forced the Government to eventually take action.

Greater powers were given to gardaí and the Criminal Assets Bureau was set up. Equally significant, was the decision to set up local drug task forces (LDTFs) in 13 areas in Dublin and one in Cork.