Drug dealing and use has been found to be present in primary schools in Dublin 15 according to research findings from the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force (BLDATF). which has published its research findings from its Drug and Alcohol Trends Monitoring System (DATMS).
This is the first year in nine years of reporting by the task force that drug use and dealing was reported in local primary schools, Cllr Ellen Troy who sits on the body says.
The report provides the evidence base for drug use in Dublin 15, and the data is used to inform service provision. The research shows that there has been a serious increase in drug related harm in the Dublin 15 area.
The Aontú councillor said that primary and secondary schools examined “are a mixture of affluent and socio-economically deprived, including those with and without DEIS status. This data indicates that drug use is a community wide issue crossing all socio-economic boundaries,”.
“This is shocking and while we have all heard the anecdotal stories of drug dealing and use amongst primary school children, to see it laid out in cold hard and factual evidence is chilling. It is really worrying for parents, teachers and the community,” she said.
“The 2023 key findings are startling and show without a shadow of a doubt how drug use and its associated harm is increasing in Dublin 15.”
The Task Force said that the 2023 key findings include:
Drug use in schools: Evidence of drug use during school hours in all local secondary schools. Easy access to drugs continues and is facilitated by an increase in the number of under 18s dealing, with evidence of drug dealing in all local secondary schools.
This was the the first year of reporting that drug use and dealing was reported in local primary schools. These primary and secondary schools are a mixture of affluent and socio-economically deprived, including those with and without DEIS status, the report said. This data indicates that drug use is a community wide issue crossing all socio-economic boundaries.
An increase in drug-related harm, hidden harms & low levels of help seeking: From 2012, there has been a significant increase in the number of under 18s and adults affected by drug and alcohol use in Dublin 15, either through their own addiction or a family members. This increase was associated with an increase in the use and availability of drugs and alcohol, and an increase in the number of people attending treatment and family support services.
From 2021 to 2023, there has been a 6% increase in the number of children affected by familial drug or alcohol use, from 385 to 409 of treated drug use and family support cases. Data reports that the extent of hidden harm in Dublin 15 is underrepresented, while prevalence and treatment demand data identifies that the overall rate of help-seeking for treatment and family support is low.
Normalisation of drug use and alcohol use hampers help-seeking: The common perception is that drug and alcohol use is risk free and socially acceptable. Alcohol is the most normalised drug, followed by cannabis herb, cocaine powder and benzodiazepines. These are the most common drugs used by under 18s and adults, untreated and treated drug users. The impact of this normalisation is reported, whereby it is perceived to be a factor that hinders help seeking and contributes to young people using alcohol and drugs at an earlier age.
Drug use in Dublin 15 is community-wide issue crossing all socio-economic boundaries: Since 2015, treated and untreated drug use has been reported among all socio-economic groups and in all areas of Dublin 15. This highlights the widespread nature of drug and alcohol dependence, and how this issue affects people from every community, though issues are more pronounced in socio-economically deprived communities.
The report also emphasised “the value and importance of evidence-based programmes in treatment and family support services” and that “service users reported how engagement with these programmes empowered them to improve their coping strategies, increase their resilience and prioritise their wellbeing”.
Cllr Troy said that: “From 2021 to 2023, there has been a 6% increase in the number of children affected by familial drug or alcohol use, from 385 to 409 of treated drug use and family support cases. Data reports that the extent of hidden harm in Dublin 15 is underrepresented, while prevalence and treatment demand data identify that the overall rate of help-seeking for treatment and family support is low.”
“This is deeply worrying and doesn’t auger well as we know that seeking help and receiving treatment is vital towards recovery. The report findings also show that there is a growing normalisation of drug and alcohol use which is insidious and very damaging. Young people under 18 years of age are using cocaine and benzodiazepines and feel it is a totally normal and recreational thing to do.”
“Frighteningly there is evidence of drug use during school hours in all local secondary schools with . Easy access to drugs continues and is facilitated by an increase in the number of under 18s dealing, with evidence of drug dealing in all local secondary schools,” she added.