Tough laws and strategies ‘failing to halt drug trade’
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.
Author of the report Johnny Connolly said, while drug law enforcement has reaped some success in the short term, “there is little evidence in Ireland or internationally that such strategies have halted the expansion of the illicit drug market or reduced criminal activities” in the long term.
“Indeed, the consistent demand for illicit drugs often ensures that the removal of one drug trafficker through successful law enforcement will create a vacuum, which will inevitably be filled by another,” Mr Connolly said.
According to the study, the total number of drug offences jumped from 4,498 in 1994 to 7,302 in 2004, a rise of 62%.
The figures reached their peak in 2001, when there were 8,878 offences.
The report noted that the rise in prosecutions for drug possession since 1997 followed community anti-drug campaigns, the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin and resultant crackdown by the Government and gardaí.
Garda studies recorded an increase from 46% to 76%, between 1997 and 2004, in the number of drug users sourcing from local dealers.
The report said this had serious implications for local garda policing.
Mr Connolly said gardaí believe that drug distribution is organised by a network of criminal gangs.
He said evidence suggested “a significant and increasing amount of violence associated with the illegal trade in drugs”.
He said most problem drug-users had a history of criminal behaviour prior to taking drugs and usually came from deprived areas.
* Drug possession offences rose from 3,069 to 5,065 between 1994 and 2004.nDrug supply cases rose from 709 to 1,608 in the same period.
* Drug possession cases account for 69% of all drug prosecutions.
* A garda study in 2004 found drug users were responsible for 28% of detected crime.
