PSNI-Garda exchange leads to launch of anti-drugs campaign

A Co Down-based police officer who went on secondment to the Garda has persuaded the PSNI to adopt a new anti-drugs campaign that he observed operating in Dublin.

PSNI inspector Jonny Francey was praised by fellow police officers from both sides of the Border at the launch of the campaign targeted at "recreational" drug-users on Wednesday.

The Think Before You Buy campaign is modelled on an initiative introduced earlier by the Safer Blanchardstown organisation and the Garda.Safer Blanchardstown is a community initiative aimed at tackling drug and alcohol abuse. It highlights how recreational drug-users "fuel not just the drug trade but also serious organised crime" throughout Ireland.

The campaign has now been expanded to Northern Ireland in a joint initiative involving the PSNI, the Garda, the North's Department of Justice and Safer Blanchardstown.

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“I hope by introducing the initiative people buying drugs at the weekend on a casual basis will realise they are contributing to the violence and intimidation that is striking fear through the heart of our communities,” said Insp Francey.

“We want people to consider when they hand over their money... where that money goes and what it’s used for; that it’s not being invested for the good of the community.”

Crime gangs

Insp Francey said he was especially impressed with the initiative when, under the Patten reform of policing scheme, he was on secondment to Blanchardstown, Dublin, for three weeks last September. He was particularly interested in the Dublin drugs problem and the major crime gangs.

He was introduced to the work of the Blanchardstown drug and alcohol taskforce by Garda Insp Tony Twomey. “To be honest with you I was blown away by some of the work they were doing,” he said.

Insp Francey said he was "treated like a king" in Blanchardstown. "I was quite impressed with how much similarity there is between the PSNI and an Garda Síochána. When I say that I am not just talking about how we deal with crime but being human about this, even our own attitudes, our own sense of humour, our own dedication, was very reflected in both organisations."

The PSNI's Det Chief Supt Tim Mairs commended Insp Francey for his "excellent" idea to adopt and adapt the campaign for Northern Ireland.

“It is crucial that we continue to work with partners both within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in order to stop the misery that the illegal supply of drugs brings.”

Real money

Philip Jennings of Safer Blanchardstown said it was "at the weekends when the casual or recreational user orders their small bit of hash or cocaine that the real money is made by the drugs trade".

It was this money that “attracts serious violence and intimidation, which is affecting communities right across the country”, he said.

“That is why it is essential to draw attention to the link between recreational use of drugs, the vast amounts of money this generates, criminal activity and drug-debt intimidation.”