Drugs 'r us!

By Ruth Feeley

So for the last few weeks we’ve observed with an interesting mixture of curiosity and cynicism as our MEP candidates have shown their teeth and fought fire with fire for the golden prize of a seat in Europe. We’ve giggled at the little faux pas, we’ve drawn gasps at their sometime vicious attacks on the opposition and we’ve wagged a disparaging finger at the inadequacies in their manifestos.

Of course, most of all we have offered a bended ear to their long spiels of promises and guarantees to go to Europe with our aches and pains, and return with band-aids and painkillers.

We have heard mention of fines for nuisance calls and noise pollution, as well as greater Dáil monitoring schemes over the MEPs’ work in Europe. All this is positive, but whilst every such improvement is welcome, many are looking to politicians to help the country with the biggest problem we have ever had to face – drug use.

Today, Labour candidate for the European Parliament elections, Proinsias De Rossa issued a statement in which he states that “Ireland must work with Europe to tackle drugs scourge”.

De Rossa criticised the government for putting Ireland’s spiralling drug problem on the back burner. He argued, “The Irish government’s attitude is a disgrace. The European Commission invited national governments to give their views on the role of community organisations in the EU drugs policy in 2007 and the Irish government has yet to contribute.”

While the government has been somewhat preoccupied of late with the economic crisis, some would argue that they have taken their eye off the ball and failed to acknowledge the disastrous rippling affect the recession is causing with regard to social issues.

Speaking to Garda Doyle from Coolock station concerning the economic crisis and how it has affected levels of crime, his views spoke volumes. He said, “Yes, since the downturn, we have noticed a massive increase in crime, mainly as a repercussion of drugs. It has become more noticeable each day and I for one would like to see is there going to be any changes after the elections as regards government funding towards rehabilitation programmes and so on. We are trying our best, but it has to be a joint effort and so far, the government doesn’t seem to be especially bothered.” He continued, “It will be interesting to see if these politicians, telling us how much help they will secure from Europe, will be true to their word.”