Tough laws and strategies ‘failing to halt drug trade’

THE ‘war on drugs’ has not halted the spread of illegal drugs across the country or reduced associated criminal activities, according to a new report.

The report titled Drugs and Crime in Ireland was published yesterday by the Drug Misuse Research Division of the Health Research Board.

It said proper treatment services for problem drug users and local policing partnerships involving the community and the gardaí were essential to combat drug-related crime.