Irish appetite for illegal drugs and drug distribution

[patslatt]

When I advised a Canadian student that it was unsafe to walk at night through a very deprived section of inner city Dublin, he asked why. I explained that some sections of Dublin were Heroin City,with a very high number of addicts. I said this drug culture received a tremendous boost from the mass unemployment of the 1970s and 1980s that destroyed the hopes for the future of thousands of young people.

International surveys show that the Irish drug culture continues to flourish in the good economic times,with Irish youth in the unenviable position as having the most experience of illegal drugs in the EU. In my opinion,the traditional Irish mindless excess in alcohol binge drinking has carried over to some extent into the drug culture's desire for cheap thrills.

The high cost of alcohol in pubs may also be contributing to drug taking,as a hit of cocaine or cannabis may be cheaper than a pint or spirits with a mixer.

An interesting question is where are drugs being distributed to the public? Are street corner sales the main outlet? Do drug dealers sell substantial amounts through pubs and nightclubs?

Possibly the government believes that drug dealers are active in nightclubs,although there is little evidence for this that I know of. This could explain why a government bill going through the Oireachtas is designed to undermine the economic viability of small nightclubs by forcing them to close at 2.30am,the same time as late licence extensions for pubs.

[WestDubliner]

When I advised a Canadian student that it was unsafe to walk at night through a very deprived section of inner city Dublin, he asked why. I explained that some sections of Dublin were Heroin City,with a very high number of addicts. I said this drug culture received a tremendous boost from the mass unemployment of the 1970s and 1980s that destroyed the hopes for the future of thousands of young people.

International surveys show that the Irish drug culture continues to flourish in the good economic times,with Irish youth in the unenviable position as having the most experience of illegal drugs in the EU. In my opinion,the traditional Irish mindless excess in alcohol binge drinking has carried over to some extent into the drug culture's desire for cheap thrills.

The high cost of alcohol in pubs may also be contributing to drug taking,as a hit of cocaine or cannabis may be cheaper than a pint or spirits with a mixer.

An interesting question is where are drugs being distributed to the public? Are street corner sales the main outlet? Do drug dealers sell substantial amounts through pubs and nightclubs?

Possibly the government believes that drug dealers are active in nightclubs,although there is little evidence for this that I know of. This could explain why a government bill going through the Oireachtas is designed to undermine the economic viability of small nightclubs by forcing them to close at 2.30am,the same time as late licence extensions for pubs.

Ring the dealer before they go out. Collect it on the way. Watch any petrol station for a half an hour on a Friday or Saturday night,I dare say you will see a lot of transactions going down.

[soubresauts]

More arguments for legalizing the drugs trade.

Is there one Irish politician willing to state the obvious -- that drugs should be legally available?

[Bobert]

More arguments for legalizing the drugs trade.

Is there one Irish politician willing to state the obvious -- that drugs should be legally available?

Cllr. Luke Flanagan of Roscommon.