Brendan Smith
Question:45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the scale of drug offences committed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42508/20]
View answerThursday, 10 December 2020
Questions (45)
Written answers
I am informed by the Garda authorities that crime trends are monitored by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, who provide data analysis capabilities to the Commissioner. Further, such trends are reported by the Commissioner to the Central Statistics Office on a regular basis. The CSO is responsible for reporting on these trends and this information is published on their website each quarter at the following link:
https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/crimeandjustice/recordedcrime-statisticsunderreservation/
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to a health-led approach to drugs misuse. Substance abuse and addiction affects people from all walks of life. By treating the use of substances as a public health issue, rather than solely as a criminal issue, we can better help individuals, their families, and the communities in which we all live.
The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025, provides a roadmap to achieving these aims by promoting a more compassionate approach to people who use drugs, with addiction treated firstly as a health issue. Primary responsibility for this lies with my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, although the Strategy of course includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.
Ireland's National Drugs Strategy is unique across EU members in that it includes consideration of drug-related intimidation. An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the National Family Support Network (NFSN), has developed ‘The Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme’, which is now been implemented on a national level since 2013, to respond to the needs of drug users and family members who may be subject to the threat of drug related intimidation.
I also intend to shortly bring to Government proposals with regard to criminalising adults who groom children to use in criminality.
Hand in hand with this preventative work, and recognising the link between organised crime and illegal drugs, An Garda Síochána continues to relentlessly target all forms of organised crime throughout the pandemic. Sustained action by An Garda Síochána has continued unabated, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. In the first six months of 2020, Garda operations to counter organised crime resulted in the seizure of €13.6m in illicit drugs, 13 firearms and 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
This work has continued throughout the autumn and winter months including the seizure of approximately €7 million of cannabis on 23rd October and a seizure of cannabis on 3rd November with an estimated street value of €1 million.