PUPILS USED BY DEALERS
Garda patrols call as dealers using local students to smuggle drugs into schools
STUDENTS are being used by dealers to smuggle drugs into schools in the area. And the situation has become so bad that gardai need to begin patrols outside educational facilities in an attempt to deter both the dealers and those they are using in their illicit trade. ‘ These kids don’t realise what they are doing and how bad it is. ‘I don’t want to see them get a record and parents too need to open their eyes about this,’ Cllr Tom Cunningham told the Drogheda Independent this week. He said he knows garda numbers are insufficient in the district at the moment, but feels patrols in certain areas are now required. Supt Andrew Watters confirmed that there are issues and that the gardai do have a school plan in place to tackle the problem. ‘We have an operation in place to deal with that,’ he told a recent Joint Policing meeting in Ardee. ‘Where issues have arisen at schools we have worked with them,’ he added.
STUDENTS are being used by dealers to smuggle drugs into schools in the area.
And the situation has become so bad that gardai need to begin patrols outside facilities in an attempt to deter both the dealers and those they are using in their illicit trade.
Cllr Tom Cunningham says he does not want to see any young person get a record because of the situation they may find themselves in.
‘ These kids don’t realise what they are doing and how bad it is. I don’t want to see them get a record and parents too need to open their eyes about this,’ he stated.
He raised the matter at a recent joint policing meeting, where he urged the gardai to act.
‘If patrols were to become apparent in the vicinity of some schools it may deter both the criminals and the students who are doing this. The young people are not criminal masterminds and are just being used,’ he stated.
‘I know it is difficult for the gardai given their shortage in numbers, but we are looking at a bigger problem down the road. The protection of our youth is vital.’ He says it is a big issue countrywide too.
Supt Andrew Watters stated at the meeting that the gardai do have a school plan and there were arrests in Drogheda.
‘We have an operation in place to deal with that,’ he stated. ‘Where issues have arisen at schools we have worked with them,’ he added.
Supt Fergus Traynor in the Ardee district said they do go into schools to discuss drugs issues.
‘ There is an increase and it is a concern,’ he stated.