[Oireachtas]
Dail Eireann debate. Written answers 61 & 75 - National Drugs Strategy [Dial to stop dealing] [39298/10].
(03 Nov 2010)
External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2...
61. Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of calls received to date in relation to the dial to stop drug dealing; if figures are available regarding the geographical spread of the calls; if the initiative is based country wide; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
75. Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding invested in the relaunch of the dial to stop drugs campaign; his views on the last campaign; the new initiatives in this relaunch; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey): I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 75 together.
The Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign ran in three phases — across 15 Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas — in 2008 and 2009. To the end of last week, there were almost 8,000 calls made to the confidential line. Calls are spread right across the country, including areas that have not directly run a campaign, which highlights the fact that the confidential number is open to all to use, regardless of the area one comes from. Due to the volume of the information involved, I am arranging to send the geographical information requested directly to the Deputies.
A comprehensive evaluation of the original campaign was carried out and this highlighted the benefits of the phone line, e.g., providing valuable drug dealing information to the Gardaí. In addition — and indeed equally important — it noted the intangible benefits of the safe and anonymous contact with Gardaí afforded to concerned citizens and communities. Allied to this is the definite sense of community empowerment that has been cited repeatedly by Drugs Task Forces.
With the positive evaluation, the ongoing support of the Gardaí and the positive community feedback, I decided to relaunch the campaign with a more national focus. In this regard, on 6 October last I announced a two week national promotional campaign, to be followed by local campaigns at Drugs Task Force level. I have made funding of €53,500 + VAT available to support the national campaign and over €100,000 + VAT for participating Drugs Task Forces. Four local campaigns have already commenced with preparatory work on the other campaigns in train. A full evaluation of the current phase of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign will be carried out on its completion at the end of the year.
Vol. 720 No. 4
Written Answers – National Drug Strategy
Wednesday 3 November
Publication Type
Irish-related
Drug Type
Substances (not alcohol/tobacco)
Intervention Type
Crime prevention
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