THE need to tackle the causes of crime is being ignored in the election campaign, according to a new grouping of civil rights and anti drug organisations.
The Alliance for Justice said yesterday that political parties have been competing to offer the most punitive crime policies, while paying little attention to social and economic inequality.
We are disturbed and disappointed at the machostyle contest between the major parties as to who is toughest on crime," it said.
"Alarmist talk about crime being out of control only creates unnecessary fear and panic and is contradicted by the figures, which show a welcome drop in most types of crime.
"We are well aware of the hurt and loss suffered by victims of crime, and we want to see crime reduced to negligible levels, but bandying about simplistic slogans like `zero tolerance prevents serious discussion of how to deal with crime and with the drugs crisis which is inextricably linked to it."
The alliance includes the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Inner Cities Communities Organisation and the branch of the trade union IMPACT which represents probation and welfare officers. Its stance is supported by Victim Support.
According to the alliance, debate on crime in the State has continued to focus on "retributive justice", which is based on the concept that punitive measures act as a deterrent to crime.
The alliance says the debate should focus on "restorative justice", which seeks to lower crime by also concentrating on the offenders' circumstances, and understanding what drove them to commit their offences.
The alliance said a massive effort to treat drug abuse was needed, "a crisis programme to provide universally available detoxification and treatment facilities and rehabilitation, and follow through services for as long as it takes".
It also called for new structures to make the Garda more responsive to local communities, and said the Garda should stop using "anti terrorist laws against community anti drug activists".
"Panic measures make bad law and can make a bad situation worse," it said.
"A humane strategy that seeks to eliminate the causes of drug addiction and crime will do more to solve the crime problem than `lock them up and throw away the key attitudes."