One in three Irish people say gangs grooming children into drugs trade is top concern

One in three Irish people said the involvement of young people in drug distribution — including minors dealing drugs or being recruited by dealers — was the biggest public safety issue. Picture: iStock

Grooming children into the drugs trade by criminal gangs is the most pressing public safety concern relating to drugs in local communities, according to Irish people.

One in three Irish people said the involvement of young people in drug distribution — including minors dealing drugs or being recruited by dealers — was the biggest public safety issue.

This was followed by drug driving, drug-related violence, property crime, public disorder and open drug dealing.

The findings are detailed in a new EU survey, which also found that almost six in 10 Irish people believe the supply of cannabis should be legalised.

However, two-thirds said the supply of cocaine should remain banned.

The first European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) public attitudes survey gathered the views of almost 78,000 people across the 27 member states, including 3,000 in Ireland.

The survey highlights the seriousness with which Irish people and EU citizens generally view the drugs problem, as well as a widespread perception that the situation has worsened in recent years.

Most respondents believe a stronger police response and the dismantling of criminal networks are the best ways to reduce the impact of drug trafficking and gangs.

Helping people with addiction return to work, drug prevention and treatment were identified as the best ways to reduce the impact of drug use in local communities.

Launching the survey, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said: “Europeans are clear that drug trafficking and drug use are serious concerns in their communities.

“They want strong action against traffickers and criminal networks, but they also recognise the importance of supporting people affected by drug use. We need both: firm action against organised crime and effective prevention, treatment and support.”

Youth involvement in drug dealing a major concern

Asked about the most pressing public safety issues in their local areas arising from drug trafficking and distribution, the results showed:

• 33% of Irish people cited youth involvement, including minors using or dealing drugs and being recruited by gangs, compared with the EU average of 30%.
• 29% cited people driving under the influence of drugs (EU average: 26%).
• 28% cited drug-related violence, such as turf wars, robberies and assaults (EU: 27%).
• 25% cited property crime, including theft, burglary and shoplifting (EU: 21%).
• 22% cited public disorder and nuisance, such as people being under the influence of drugs (EU: 19%).
• 21% cited street-level dealing and open drug markets (EU: 19%).

On the most pressing public health issues in their local areas, Irish people highlighted the impact of potent new synthetic drugs, cocaine-related harms and overdoses.

Asked about the best ways to reduce the impact of drug use, Irish respondents prioritised helping people with addiction return to work (47%), strengthening police action against distribution (44%), prevention (43%) and providing treatment and support (42%).

Just over a quarter (27%) said making some drugs legal and regulating them was among the best approaches, compared with the EU average of 20%.

On the best ways to reduce problems caused by drug dealing, Irish people prioritised tougher measures against traffickers (39%), breaking up criminal gangs (35%), a stronger police presence in affected areas (33%) and education to prevent people becoming involved in gangs (33%).

Majority support legalising cannabis supply

When asked about legalising the supply of drugs, 57% of Irish people supported legalising the supply of cannabis, compared with 48% across the EU. Of those in Ireland, 37% said supply should be regulated, while 20% said it should be available “without restrictions”.

However, 66% of Irish people opposed legalising the supply of cocaine, while 62% were against legalising the supply of MDMA (ecstasy).

Some 63% of Irish people said drug use was a “serious problem” in their local area, compared with the EU average of 60%. 

Meanwhile, 54% said drug trafficking and distribution were also a serious local problem, compared with 60% across the EU.

More Irish respondents than the EU average believed drug trafficking and drug use had worsened over the previous five years: 54% compared with 49% for trafficking, and 56% compared with 50% for drug use.

Irish people also reported that accessing drugs was significantly easier than the EU average:

• Cannabis: 58% compared with 46%.
• Cocaine: 53% compared with 35%.
• MDMA: 45% compared with 32%.
• Heroin: 36% compared with 28%.
• Ketamine: 38% compared with 27%.

Commenting on the findings, EUDA executive director Lorraine Nolan said: “Effective responses to drugs start with a clear understanding of the issues, and public opinion is an important part of that picture.” 

She said the first EUDA Drug Survey explored public attitudes towards drugs and drug policy across Europe.

“It provides a new perspective on how people see drug use and trafficking in their communities, what concerns them most and how they think these issues should be addressed,” she said. “Bringing these insights together with wider evidence can help policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders be better informed on how to respond to drug-related challenges.”

 - Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent