Members of the public have been urged to call a free-phone number to report drug dealing or suspected drug dealing in their localities.
Under the scheme, members of the public can call 1800 220 220 and report drug dealing anonymously. The individual will not be asked for their name, address or any other information that might identify them.
The information gathered is passed directly to the Garda.
The roll-out of the campaign follows a pilot project run by the Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task Force in 2006 when the State’s first ever non-Garda confidential phone line was used to collect information on drug dealing in the Dublin 15 area.
The "Dial to Stop Drug Dealing" initiative was unveiled this morning by Minister of State John Curran and Assistant Garda Commissioner Al McHugh.
“I am calling on any person with information on drug dealing in their local area, be it first or second hand information, to call,” said Mr Curran. “I would urge communities involved in the campaign to make the most of this service and to take control of the future of their communities. We cannot let the dealers determine the lives of future generations.”
Assistant Commissioner McHugh stated court actions were pending because of the success of the campaign in Blanchardstown.
“This national initiative is about getting at the big dealers who are targeting our young people and destroying communities. People can reclaim their communities by using this safe and confidential mechanism to pass on their information," he said.
The campaign will be rolled out in a series of local campaigns in a number of local or regional drugs task force areas around the country. Phase One areas will include: Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Co Kildare (Celbridge, Naas, Athy and Newbridge), Dublin North East area (including Coolock, Donaghmede, Kilbarrack, Clarehall, Clonshaugh and Howth) and Dublin’s north inner city.
A poll published at today’s event revealed 64 per cent of people identified drugs as a main social problem in their area. Some 56 per cent of people 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.
