Campaign highlights long-term harm to families and communities of buying drugs

The initiative from the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force aims to educate people that their purchases 'fuels organised crime, intimidation, violence and environmental damage'

The 'Think Before You Buy' campaign wants people to reflect on the impact of buying drugs for their families and communities.

Recreational drug users are being urged to think about the “hidden and far-reaching consequences” of their purchases under a new awareness programme.

The “Think Before You Buy” campaign wants people to reflect on the impact of buying drugs for their families and communities.

It also aims to educate people that their purchases “fuels organised crime, intimidation, violence and environmental damage”.

The initiative is the brainchild of the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force and was launched on Monday by Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, minister of state at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health and the National Drugs Strategy.

She said: “I am very aware of the impact drug addiction has on individuals and on their families. Very often families experience emotional trauma, extreme stress, fear, shame, and the loss of trust. Financial instability is also common. 

“On a broader scale, drugs have a destructive impact in local communities by driving up crime rates and increasing the presence of drug trafficking. 

The stigma attached to addiction often causes families to isolate themselves from their community, fearing judgment and rejection. 

"This secrecy can allow the addiction to thrive, making it harder for individuals to seek help.” 

Ms Murnane O’Connor praised the “key role” that drug and alcohol task forces, such as Blanchardstown, play in local communities. Task force community safety co-ordinator, Phillip Jennings, said that while recreational drug use is often viewed as a private decision, its impact is deeply public.

He said drug demand fuels organised crime, intimidation, violence, environmental damage, and long-term harm to families and communities.

‘Every purchase, no matter how small, contributes to a chain of damage,” Mr Jennings said. “It affects safety, wellbeing, and community cohesion. Our role is to make those impacts visible — and to give people the information they need to make informed, responsible decisions.” 

He said the campaign aims to challenge prevailing misconceptions by drawing attention to these very real and measurable harms.

Public expenditure minister and TD for Dublin West, Jack Chambers, congratulated the Blanchardstown Drug and Alcohol Task Force for their work.

“Drug use in Ireland affects all parishes and communities across the country, regardless of class, age, and geography,” he said.

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“The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a health-led approach to drug use and has invested additional resources in services with a focus on increasing capacity in drug treatment services to meet the growing demand, particularly regarding cocaine addiction.” 

Mr Jennings said the campaign aimed to address the “well-documented bystander effect”, where individuals are less likely to speak up or challenge harmful behaviour when it becomes normalised within peer groups.

He said the campaign aims to empower community members, families, and organisations to break this silence and take an active role in reducing demand.

Mr Jennings said the task force is calling on local partners — including schools, youth services, sports clubs, community groups, and businesses — to support the campaign by sharing materials, displaying posters, and engaging in conversations that highlight the real costs of recreational drug use.