Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note what the Minister has said, but, unfortunately, it seems to be the case that when an issue arises in a provincial town, it receives coverage, that there is a political response and, as a result, a political reaction, whereby An Garda Síochána puts more resources on the street. We need to put more resources into towns which are vulnerable such as Longford and Drogheda. I note that that has now happened. It is depressing that there is a ring of steel around Longford. We should not let it get to that stage. We need to intervene at an earlier stage. I know that the Government and the Oireachtas cannot provide all of the solutions, but we need to face up to the fact that, unfortunately, the country is awash with drugs and that people are spending a lot of money which supports criminal activity. The drugs industry is dealing in death. We need a stronger education programme. In a way, it is a little like online pornography. We need to warn young people about the dangers of drugs. We need to indicate to them the link between taking drugs and mental illness. We spend much time warning people about tobacco and alcohol. We need to warn them more about drugs.

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