Press Release Monday, 27 April 2009

Make that Call - Dial to Stop Drug Dealing in Waterford

Individuals and communities living with the destructive affects of drug dealing in Waterford were today urged to DIAL TO STOP DRUG DEALING on 1800 220 220.

The new hotline offers safety in numbers to people who may be afraid to pass on information for fear of reprisals, said John Murphy, Chair of the South East Regional Drug Taskforce. .

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is a safe, confidential and completely anonymous phone line for Waterford people to pass on information on drug dealing, he explained. Callers are never asked for their name, address or any other information which might identify them. The person answering their call will not know them and will not recognize their voice. The phone number is not operated by An Garda Síochána. However, information gathered is passed on directly to the Gardaí to feed into ongoing inquiries.

“People are intimidated by drug activity and are often afraid to pass on what they know or see,” Chair John Murphy said. “At the same time, people living with the destructive affects of drug dealing want to do something about it to improve their lives and the lives of their children. With Dial to Stop, they can start to reclaim their communities by making a simple and anonymous phonecall without fear or concerns.”

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is already in operation in Dublin, Kildare, and most recently, Cork, Limerick and Kerry. Dial to Stop has received nearly 2,000 calls since last September.

It has provided valuable information to Gardaí. Information gathered from Dial to Stop in Dublin has yielded one significant Section 10 seizure, that is, possession with intent to supply. In addition, Gardaí have been provided with information leading to a number of other substantial seizures in different locations.

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is made possible for 2009 through a ring-fenced grant of €300,000 from Dormant Accounts. In total, 15 projects will be funded around the country, including Waterford. The HSE has also contributed by translating materials into a number of foreign languages. An evaluation and assessment of the confidential hotline will take place in summer 2009.

For more information contact: Jim O’Dwyer, Tel: 086- 7911509 or John Sutton, Tel: 087-2663168

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Press Release Monday, 27 March 2009

Make that Call - Dial to Stop Drug Dealing in Cork

The free phone number offers safety in numbers to people who may be afraid to pass on information for fear of reprisals, said John Curran, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The damages caused by drugs misuse, he added, affected urban and rural communities throughout the country.

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is a safe, confidential and completely anonymous way for people to pass on information on drug dealing. The callers are never asked for their name, address or any other information that might identify them. The person answering their call will not know them and will not recognize their voice. Nor is the phone number operated by An Garda Síochána. However, the information gathered is passed on directly to the Gardaí to feed into ongoing inquiries.

Analysis of Dial to Stop Drug Dealing, which is already operating in five communities in the Dublin area and Kildare shows that fear for personal safety, and that of family and friends, is one of the biggest barriers to passing on information about drug activity. Analysis also shows that Dial to Stop Drug Dealing received on average 10 calls a day and has already yielded valuable information to Gardaí.

“To date, information gathered as a result of Dial to Stop Drug Dealing in Dublin has yielded one significant Section 10 seizure - that is, possession with intent to supply,” the Minister confirmed. “In all five areas where the campaign has been operating, the local Gardaí are following strong lines of inquiry resulting from information provided to the freephone number. While the campaigns may be running in specific areas, the confidential number used in the campaign is open for all to use regardless of the area they come from”.

The Minister concluded : “We are looking forward to a continuation of this success in Cork and throughout the country,” he continued. “People living with the destructive affects of drug dealing want to do something about it but often feel they can’t. Now they can start to reclaim their communities by making a simple and anonymous phone call. ”

The Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign, which will run for six weeks in Cork, will include high profile posters in shops, pubs, clubs and community centres throughout the city. It will be supported by ads in local radio and newspapers.

For more information contact: Edel Hackett, Tel: 087-2935207 or John Sutton, Tel: 087-2663168

Dialing to Stop Drug Dealing – The Impact So Far

Dial to Stop Drug Dealing has been operating in 5 communities in Dublin. An analysis of calls from September to March 2009 shows:

• 1633 calls were received.
• 456 reports were made to Gardaí.
• 63% of calls were made between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• There was an increase in calls made around the reporting of drug related murders.
• Most calls were made mid-week.
• There was one Section 10 seizure - possession with intent to supply.

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Press Release 29th September 2008

Communities urged to Dial to Stop Drug Dealing

New initiative launched to tackle drug dealing

Individuals and communities impacted by the destructive effects of drug dealing were today urged to DIAL TO STOP DRUG DEALING – 1800 220 220.   

The call came today at the launch of DIAL TO STOP DRUG DEALING from Mr John Curran TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Minister of State Curran was joined at the launch by Assistant Garda Commissioner Al McHugh. 

Dial to stop drug dealing is an initiative to tackle drug dealing in local communities around Ireland.  It provides a safe, confidential and completely anonymous way for individuals to pass on information on drug dealing in their local community.  The individual is never asked for their name, their address or any other information which might identify them.  They can rest assured that the person answering their call will not know them and will not recognise their voice.  The information gathered is passed on directly to An Garda Síochána.  

The new campaign follows the successful pilot project run by the Blanchardstown Local Drugs Task Force in 2006 when Ireland’s first ever non-Garda confidential phone line was used to collect information on drug dealing in the Dublin 15 area.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State Curran, said: “I am calling on any person with information on drug dealing in their local area, be it first or second hand information, to call the Dial to Stop freephone number 1800 220 220 today.  Anyone who calls this number can be completely assured that their information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. They will not be asked for their name, or any other information that will identify them in any way. I would urge communities involved in the campaign to make the most of this service and to take control of the future of their communities. We cannot let the dealers determine the lives of future generations.  Dial to stop drug dealing today.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Al McHugh commented: “People in Blanchardstown used the freephone number to convey very valuable information on drug dealing in their area.  Court actions are pending because of the success of that campaign. This national initiative is about getting at the big dealers who are targeting our young people and destroying communities.  People can reclaim their communities by using this safe and confidential mechanism to pass on their information.” 

Dial to stop drug dealing will be rolled out in a series of local campaigns in a number of local or regional drugs task force areas around the country.  Phase One areas will include Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Co Kildare (Celbridge, Naas, Athy and Newbridge), Dublin North East area (including Coolock, Donaghmede, Kilbarrack, Clarehall, Clonshaugh and Howth) and Dublin's North Inner City.  

A pre-campaign poll in the participating areas has revealed significant public support for an anti-drug dealing initiative with the majority polled showing a civic conscience and a desire to play a part in reducing the presence of drugs in their own communities. 

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