INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION KEY TO BEATING DRUG BARONS

THE high level of co operation at international level in the fight against
drugs witnessed at a major police conference being held in Dublin is to be
warmly welcomed in view of the growing incidence of addiction among young
Irish people.

As an integral part of the world wide fight against crime, six police
forces have combined their resources in a bid to combat the so called drug
barons who ply their evil trade on the streets of Europe's towns and cities.

Ever since the garda crackdown on their activities in the wake of the
murder of Veronica Guerin, Ireland's major drug dealers have moved their
operations to mainland Europe. But they have not gone away. It would be
foolish to pretend their tentacles no longer reach deep into Irish society.
Despite arrests involving millions of pounds worth of drugs, they remain
firmly in control of the flow of ecstasy, cocaine, hashish and heroin still
reaching this country.

Co operation of the kind demonstrated in the police conference is vital if
the drug barons are to be defeated.

But it is at street level that the crisis of poverty and human despair
which lead to addiction must be tackled. In this regard the drug prevention
project launched by President McAleese on behalf of the Simon Community in
Cork is a laudable initiative.

Based on a policy of early intervention, the project will offer help and
support to young addicts.