30/06/2011
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
People living in the Tallaght area that are impacted by the destructive effects of drug dealing were today again urged to DIAL TO STOP DRUG DEALING – 1800 220 220.
The call came following the two and a half year anniversary of the Tallaght ‘Dial to Stop’ Campaign launch in October 2008. Since then, Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force has continued to promote the confidential line and instill confidence in local residents to report incidents of drug dealing or related offences. Following the national media campaign launch on October 6th last, Tallaght Drugs Task Force (TDTF) have acknowledged the success of the Tallaght campaign to date and regret that funding for further promotion of the line is unavailable. TDTF did welcome however, recent advertising space on the LUAS red and green lines during March and April, thanks to Veolia. TDTF are currently analysing how this and other promotional activities benefited the campaign. Speaking recently, about the success of the Tallaght Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campiagn was Coordinator of Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force, Grace Hill:
“The statistics speak for themselves, this has proved to be a successful local campaign for Tallaght. We are delighted to be given the opportunity and support of the Office of the Minister for Drugs to contine with the lines existence. The added benefit we have seen in Tallaght is the confidence that the campaign has instilled in local residents. The outdoor poster campaign has helped to create awareness about drug dealing but additionally, has reassured local people that while drug dealing is still an issue, it will not be tolerated. This initiative is a great example of a partnership approach to a community issue: The Local Drugs Task Force working with the Gardai to eliminate drug dealing in communities.â€
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 re-promotion of the Tallaght campaign in May 2010 followed their succussful phase one of the campaign launched in October 2008.
Speaking at the re-launch last May, Mick Duff, the then Mayor of South Dublin County said: “I am again calling on any person with information on drug dealing in their local area to call the Dial to Stop free phone number 1800 220 220 today. The number is free and can be called at any time day or night.
Dial to Stop Drug Dealing is a completely safe and anonymous way for people to take a stand against drug dealing in their community. You won’t be asked to identify yourself so you can pass on your vital information in the safest way possible.
TALLAGHT Local Drugs Task Force coordinator said: “We know from the success we experienced after the first launch of the campaign in 2008 that Dial to Stop Drug Dealing can yield information of great significance to the Gardaí and we want to repeat that success for the Tallaght area. Additionally, it became apparent over the last few years that the physical presence of neighborhood advertising posters created energy and instilled confidence among local residents. We are again asking people to pick up the phone today and pass on whatever information they might have on drug dealing activity in their area. Dial to Stop Drug Dealing today.â€
Dial to stop drug dealing has been rolled out in a series of local campaigns in a number of local or regional drugs task force areas around the
Country. The TALLAGHT DIAL TO STOP DRUG DEALING campaign is run by the Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force.
In 2008, a pre-campaign poll in the participating areas 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.
Some 64% of those polled identified drugs as a main social problem in their area. 56% of people reported that they were “very likely†or “somewhat likely†to call a non-Garda confidential telephone number to give information on drug activity in their area.
Activities
Promotional activities of the campaign have included to date:
- Community Awareness & Information: Neighborhood large poster campaign
- Dublin Bus: Both internally on all Tallaght bus routes & on bus shelters around the Tallaght area
- Referrals: Community projects will be issued with information to give to clients, should they wish to access the phone line.
- Local press: The Tallaght Echo, Tallaght News, Tallaght Express etc…
- Leaflet drop: to every house in the Tallaght Drugs Task Force area (Tallaght & Whitechurch), promoting the confidential service.
- Campaign local re-launch May 2010
- National Media Campaign launch: October 2010
- Tallaght LUAS advertising campaign March – April 2011
The Facts!
Ø To date, the line has received over 6,000 calls to date with over 1,700 reports to the Gardai.
Ø The Tallaght campaign has received over 550 calls to date.
Ø Resulting in over 200 reports of drug dealing in Tallaght.
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Grace Hill
Tallaght Drugs Task Force
Ph. 466 4243 or email: grace.hill@doddervalley.ie