Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the fact that additional sanctions and longer sentences will be imposed on these criminals who are peddling death and destruction in every community. The Minister indicated to me when we spoke on this issue that he would be bringing forward additional measures and legislation which I very much welcome. This issue should be addressed with the utmost urgency. It is really heartbreaking to listen to parents, siblings and family members who have lost loved ones through the use of drugs. They are victims of these people who are peddling drugs and causing untold hardship. I recently listened to a mother who lost her son and her husband and she outlined very clearly the role that drugs played in their deaths. It is absolutely appalling.

We need more awareness campaigns, and not just for teenagers or young adults. Based on what I hear, we need campaigns for every age group in the country. We are hearing of the prevalence of drugs in places we never thought they would be present.

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