Families need support and protection from drug barons

Thankfully many people live their lives oblivious to the problems that drugs can cause in a family.

Indeed many want to close their ears and try not to listen to the frightening reports of ordinary, decent families having their lives destroyed by the misery that drugs can bring.

Truthfully it is hard to blame anyone for trying to ignore the problems that drugs can cause, for it is not that they don’t care, but the reality is that it appears to be such an intractable problem, not just in Ireland, but worldwide, that most cannot see a solution.

The extent of the problem here in Dundalk was underlined recently at a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee when it was revealed that there had bee a 26% rise in the number of arrests for the sale and supply of drugs.

One of the most frightening aspects of the escalating drugs problem is the intimidation that families are experiencing at the hands of the drugs pushers who are not shy about threatening physical and property damage to parents and siblings when a drug debt is not paid.

Charities and others working within this town have had heartfelt pleas from parents frightened out of their lives by drug pushers knocking constantly at their doors demanding payment for the drug debt run up by their children.

No doubt Gardai are aware that intimidation of family members exists and it was encouraging to see public meetings held recently in Blackrock and Ardee under the auspices of the Dundalk Joint Policing Committee to address this issue.

Highlighted at those meetings was the need to provide practical safety information and advice in relation to particular threats or instances of intimidation and information on appropriate drug support services for the individual in the family who is accruing drug debts.

In many cases these debts can be considerable, and beyond the means of many parents, thus forcing them into taking drastic measures to remove the threat of physical violence to their children or themselves.

It is also very understandable that many families are very reluctant to report these threats to the Gardai for fear that it could exacerbate the threat and for that reason the drug pushers feel that they can operate in their murky world with impunity.

For that very reason the talks held by the policing committee were worthwhile for the desire for confidentiality was stressed, as the Gardai who are experienced at dealing with frightened family members and can take all measures necessary to protect them.

It is not easy for any parent dealing with these situation, for they are worried about the impact that the drugs are having on their child and family life, without the added disturbance of drug barons constantly knocking on their door demanding money.

Perhaps it’s time for a support group for families who are exposed to this kind of intimidation to be formed so that a united stand can be taken in dealing with the problem.