After a 2 year long operation 12 people appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on Friday charged with offences contrary to Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977. One person will be brought before the criminal court of justice on the 8th of October. Three youths were also referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. This follows an extensive 2 year investigation targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Coolock District.

The investigation, conducted as part of Operation Samolus, commenced in September 2019 and was led by Gardaí attached to the Darndale Policing Unit at Coolock Garda Station alongside the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) under Operation Clean Streets and assisted by the DMR North Divisional Drugs Unit under Operation TARA.

No matter how many operations the gardai engage in their efforts are in vain. The prohibition of drugs has and will continue to fail at preventing drug use. The only thing these operations do is waste valuable resources that we could instead be using to fund services and sports which will help prevent young people engaging in drug use. In Iceland by investing in their youth they have prevented them from engaging in drug use until a later age when the risks are not as great. (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/01/teens-drugs-iceland/513668/ )

Considering the recent news of gardai involvement in organised crime gangs Can Ireland really afford to continue with these failed policies? Or is it time we take the drugs out of the control of organised crime gangs and provide a safe and regulated avenue for drug users to access their drug.