THE number of people charged with supply or possession of controlled drugs in the State fell last year compared to 1995, according to the Garda report.
Last year there were 3,626 charges for those offences, a 3 per cent decrease on the previous year.while 35 per cent were aged between 17 and 21.
The Dublin region had the largest number of people prosecuted, but relative to population size most charges were in the Garda's southern region, covering the south-west from a line drawn between Limerick city and Youghal.
Cannabis and cannabis resin remained the most popular drugs. The Commissioner, Mr Byrne, said Garda action against street dealing had led to an increase in people growing cannabis at home.
In Dublin, he said, the force's anti-drug initiative, Operation Dochas, had led to 5,038 charges between its introduction last October and the middle of last month. A total of 2,586 premises were searched and the value of seizures amounted to just over Pounds 3 million, he said.
