Irish survey finds gang‑groomed child drug dealing top safety worry

One in three Irish people say that criminal gangs grooming children into the drugs trade is the most pressing public safety concern in their local communities.

The finding comes from the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) public attitudes survey, which interviewed about 3,000 respondents in Ireland as part of a wider study of almost 78,000 people across the 27 EU member states.

Respondents also identified drug‑driving, drug‑related violence, property crime, public disorder and open drug dealing as further concerns. On public health issues, the impact of potent new synthetic drugs, cocaine‑related harms and overdoses were highlighted.

When asked how to reduce drug‑related problems, 47% of Irish respondents said helping people with addiction return to work was most effective, followed by stronger police action (44%), prevention (43%) and treatment and support (42%).

Legalisation views showed that 57% support legalising the supply of cannabis, while two‑thirds oppose legalising cocaine. A quarter (27%) consider regulated legalisation of some drugs a viable approach, above the EU average of 20%.

Overall, 63% consider drug use a serious problem locally, and 54% see drug trafficking as serious, with more than half believing both issues have worsened over the past five years.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Michael Francis Redmond / Pexels.