Drop in calls to report drug dealing

THE number of calls made to the “Dial to stop drug dealing” confidential phoneline has fallen, despite the project being extended.

The scheme, first launched across five areas of Dublin and Kildare, has received almost 6,000 calls since it began operations in late September 2008.

The scheme allows people wishing to notify the authorities of drug dealing in their area to ring and pass on information anonymously. The information is then passed on to gardaí.

Statistics show a drop in calls, however, even though the service was extended to other parts of the country, such as Cork and Kerry, last March. Funding has not been available to advertise the system as was the case last summer.

Calls nationally to the line peaked at 773 last May, and from March to July inclusive last year some 3,053 calls.

Since then, however, the number of calls made has fallen away as promotional funding has dried up.

Last year the scheme was extended to Cork and Kerry and after a promising beginning the Drugs Minister John Curran, pledging additional funding.

Gardaí claim that valuable data had been collected thanks to the public, particularly regarding street-level dealing.

A spokesman for the campaign said funding was available to keep the phone lines open, but that promotional funding had been spent by the end of last August. Drugs task forces are hopeful that more money will be provided this year, he said.

* www.dialtostop.ie

Freefone: 1800 220 220.