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Curran announces extension of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing Campaign

Posted on 21/09/09 by John Curran John Curran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, today (22/09/09) announced that he is extending the operation of the successful “Dial to Stop Drug Dealing” campaign. 

The campaign is designed to encourage people to provide, through a confidential telephone line any information, (anonymously if desired) which they may have on drug dealing. The information is then forwarded to the Garda National Drug Unit who will forward it to the appropriate Garda Station. 

The Minister launched the initiative in September 2008 and the campaigns have been rolled out very successfully in three phases through 15 of the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces.  The campaigns ran from October 2008 to July 2009 and were supported from funding under the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform also contributed to the development of the campaign.

The campaign was originally due to cease operation this month but the Minister has decided that it will continue  due to the positive outcomes being achieved. The initiative, which has received continued support from An Garda Síochána, will be supported with additional funding from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Minister commented: “Just look at the figure and you’ll see that the campaigns have worked.  Up to Thursday this week, 5,166 calls were received and generated    a total of 1,410 reports to the Gardaí. In fact, many calls have been received from outside the campaign areas and it goes to show the initiative has proven its worth and merits the praise it has received.  The information received has led to seizures and will ultimately lead to prosecutions. It has also corroborated existing intelligence with regard to individuals and organised criminal networks. The Minister concluded: “The Taoiseach recently launched the new National   Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 and you can rest assured that tackling the problems associated with drug misuse in our society remains as important a goal as ever for this Government. I urge you to play your part and  to get dialling – freephone 1800 220 220. Don’t let the dealers determine the lives of future generations” 
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