Punishment beatings and shootings for small drug debts are "devastating" the families of drug addicts, and leaving them in "absolute terror", according to the co-ordinator of the biggest network of drug support groups.
Sadie Grace, of the Citywide network, was speaking in advance of the organisation's annual Service of Commemoration and Hope for those who have died as a result of drugs. The eighth such service, it takes place this evening in Dublin city centre.
"The whole scene has just got so much more violent, it's terrifying," Ms Grace said. "It used to be that if you owed money to a dealer you'd get it on score [credit]. Now - and we're talking about measly amounts of money, €50 say - the kids are getting beaten up, limbs broken. They are getting shot and kneecapped and because they're not getting killed it's not getting reported in the media, and not even to the gardaí because of the fear."
Increasingly it was not only the drug users being targeted but their families. "People are terrified," she said.
The network would hear of "at least one beating a week" and the violence was being perpetrated against people as young as 15 and 16.
Asked what could be done to stop the violence she said it was difficult to know. "I think stopping the demand will be the only way to tackle it in the long term and that means education, opportunities for young people."
Philip Keegan, organiser of tonight's service, called for greater resources for groups supporting families affected by drug abuse.
The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Noel Ahern, will attend tonight's service, which takes place at 7.30pm in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Seán McDermott Street.
