Gangs intimidating families over debts of drug users
The rise in physical attacks and property damage, much of it linked to drug debts, threatens to undermine the participation of local communities in combating the drugs problem, according to the strategy, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner.
The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, highlights a number of serious failings in the previous strategy, which ran from 2001-2008. These include:
* Despite a massive rise in drug seizures – far exceeding targets – there is little evidence to show overall supply has fallen.
* Drugs are generally “more widely accessible” to young people.
* “Key questions” surround the effectiveness of the main drug education programme in schools, with young people “very critical” of it.
* The target of drug users accessing treatment within one month has only been met in 30% of areas.
The strategy calls for a powerful super-junior ministry to be set up to drive the plan and control administrative structures.
The radical changes to the structures has caused anger and resentment at community and voluntary level, who see it as an attack on the partnership approach.
The strategy says “significant concerns” were raised about increased levels of fear and intimidation within local communities.
“The families, friends and associates of drug users, as well as the drug users themselves, are increasingly the targets of intimidation and violence.”
Much of the rise was due to “increased levels of drug-related debts”, particularly associated with the rise in cocaine use. Families were held responsible for the debts, leading to “stress, indebtedness and violence”.
Many incidents were not reported to gardaí, leading to “feelings of helplessness” among families. The strategy sets specific actions to deal with the problem, with gardaí taking the lead role.
Community representatives say much of the new strategy needs government funding, which is not forthcoming.
The Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign has launched a “There is no recession in drugs,” scheme to coincide with the elections.
It said prevention, treatment and rehabilitation all work but noted all those services were being cut and called on drug money collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau to be put back into local communities.
