Empowering Communities
the Fight against Drugs

The drugs crisis is now one of the major challenges facing Irish society. Radical action is necessary to fight the spread of drugs addiction, overdoses, anti-social crime, associated high rates of imprisonment and an increase in HIV and AIDS related illnesses and deaths. The scale of the drugs problem today is a direct result of the failure to introduce the measures necessary to tackle the problem.

Sinn Fein has a track record of campaigning against drug abuse. In October 1996 Sinn Fein launched a comprehensive set of recommendations to tackle the drugs problem. Although some of these proposals were implemented by the government much more needs to be done.

• Immediate treatment for addicts. Nobody should have to wait for treatment. Locally based treatment facilities established in consultation with the community are essential.
• Community drug teams, involving local GPs, social workers, voluntary and community agencies should be established in areas affected by the problem.
• A co-ordinated approach by all the relevant state agencies is needed to target the major drug dealers and seize their assets
• Local communities have a central role to play in tackling the drugs problem
• Local authorities should evict drug dealers and local people must be given a greater say in how their estates are managed
• An end to Garda harassment of anti-drug activists. The Gardaí must be made accountable to the community. Changes in Garda management practices are necessary to facilitate this
• We recommend the establishment of a national forum with statutory funding to draw up a comprehensive response to the drugs crisis