[Oireachtas]
43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the appropriate response to the issue of drug related intimidation in communities.
(14 Dec 2010)
URL: http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2010/12/14/00039...
43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the development of the strategy under the supply reduction pillar of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 to develop a framework to provide an appropriate response to the issue of drug related intimidation in communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey): An Action was included under the supply reduction pillar of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 —develop a framework to provide an appropriate response to the issue of drug-related intimidation in the community— with An Garda Síochána taking the lead role and also involving the Family Support Network and the Department of Justice and Law Reform.
An Garda Síochána have developed such a framework in co-operation with the other parties. The implementation of the framework on a pilot basis in the Dublin Metropolitan Area was announced at the Annual Work Conference of the Family Support Network, which I attended in October. The framework has been well received by the family representatives and its implementation in 2011 will be monitored with a view to possible expansion to the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing Campaign, which I recently relaunched, is a further measure to support local communities in dealing with drugs problems in their midst. The campaign was devised as a safe and anonymous way for concerned citizens to pass information to the Gardaí who see it as an effective means of helping in the effort against drug dealing and the associated suffering in communities. Information given through the confidential line has led to a number of seizures, and has contributed greatly to Garda intelligence in the drugs area.
The issue of drug-related intimidation is something that is associated with the drugs trade on an international level. It is a most difficult issue to address in a comprehensive way but I am confident that the steps being taken will lead to improvements in the lives of many families. Meanwhile, I will continue to monitor the situation through the quarterly meetings of the Oversight Forum on Drugs.
Written Answers - National Drugs Strategy
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Vol. 725 No. 1
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