LOCAL COMMUNITIES were yesterday urged to tackle the destructive effects of drugs by participating in a new initiative aimed at combating drug dealing.
The "dial to stop drug dealing" initiative allows individuals to pass on information in a confidential and anonymous way.
People calling the 1800-220220 freephone number will not be asked for their name, address or any identifying information.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs John Curran urged communities to take control of their futures by getting involved in the campaign: "Don't let the dealers determine the lives of future generations and get dialling".
Asst Garda Commissioner Al McHugh said: "The national initiative is about getting at the big dealers who are . . . destroying communities." People can reclaim their communities by using this safe and confidential mechanism to pass on information relating to drug dealing, he added.
The campaign, which will run for nine months in total, will be rolled out in three phases in local and regional drug taskforce areas around the country. Phase One areas will include Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Dublin northeast, Dublin's north inner city and Co Kildare.
A poll published at the launch revealed 64 per cent of people in participating areas identified drugs as the main problem in their area, while some 56 per cent reported they were "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to call a non-Garda confidential telephone number to give information on drug activity in their area.
The initiative follows a successful pilot scheme run by Blanchardstown local drugs taskforce in 2006, when Ireland's first non-Garda confidential phone line was created to collect information on drug dealing in the Dublin 15 area.