Children being used as drug runners

CHILDREN as young as six and seven have been used as runners by drug gangs in a part of Dublin, an Oireachtas committee was told yesterday.

Labour TD Mary Upton called on the Government to intervene with these children, many of whom come from dysfunctional families.

Fianna Fáil senator Labhrás Ó Murchú told the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism and Community Affairs that the country had a “virtual national emergency” with drugs.

Speaking to Drugs Strategy Minister Pat Carey, Ms Upton said: “I had reports that in one area small children as young as six and seven are being used as runners for bigger boys and dealers.”

She said the children were part of a “chain of command” in the gang.

“They are innocent, they don’t know what they are involved in,” she said.

She said they were paid money, and there were some reports, which she didn’t personally believe, they might receive drugs.

The Dublin South Central TD said many of these children came from dysfunctional families and called on the minister to put in place whatever family supports that were necessary.

Mr Ó Murchú said a very strong message had to be sent out about drugs. “We have a virtual national emergency and that’s the way it should be approached.”

Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony told the minister he knew of one school which had to pay €800 to get a counsellor in for the day to talk to pupils about drugs and that each student had to pay €5-€7.

The Mayo deputy also said there were only three or four gardaí in the Mayo drugs unit, compared to 30 gardaí in the local traffic corps. Sinn Féin senator Pearse Doherty said there was no Garda engaged full-time on drugs in Donegal.

Mr Doherty said the Government gave €64 million to the young people’s facilities and services fund compared to €76m to the horse and greyhound racing fund.

Green Party TD for Carlow-Kilkenny Mary White said taxi men said that passengers were using their vehicles to deal and use drugs.

Mayo FG TD Michael Ring commended the Irish Examiner for its drugs supplement last November and last Tuesday’s drugs guide for parents and asked the minster would the department send one to every school.

Mr Carey complemented the Irish Examiner on the brochure and said his department sent out 150 copies of the drugs supplement to every post-primary schools.

He said a National Drug Awareness Campaign would begin in the next 10 days.