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

I agree with the Minister. The Government and society needs to provide more information to the public about the link between cocaine use and criminal activity. We see how people respond to information when it is given to them. Many people now realise the risks associated with the use of plastic and, because of that, they are changing their practices. They recognise that there is a threat to the planet because of the use of plastic. If we can apprise people of the dangers associated with the use of cocaine and the fact that by using it, they are supporting and indirectly funding the killing of people in other parts of the city, they will respond. The problem is that nobody is putting that message forward. We do not read about campaigns on the Internet linking the usage of cocaine to criminal activity or the killing of other people. The responsibility has to rest with Government. An information campaign should be run. Ministers spend their time in government giving information to people about matters that are dangerous to them. The public should be better informed about the dangers associated with taking drugs and the link to criminal activity.

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