Sir, - The growing militancy of the anti drugs movement on the streets of Dublin is directly related to the failure of our overcentralised state and its agents. This is clearly manifest on this issue, and on crime in general. It is, however, a symptom of a more general malaise on almost all issues relating to the lives of ordinary people.
We must decentralise power to the people if we are to avoid anarchy and ultimately find slate agencies drifting into fighting the people instead of the criminals. The immediate requirement is to decentralise the control of the Gardai to parish councils, who will set the priorities. In turn, we should form a voluntary police force (as we had during the war) working under the direct control of the parish gardai. This will enable us to channel all well meaning effort into a disciplined and legal system. At present, we seem to be taking an increasingly futile and expensive road to self destruction.
The local communities should quickly, in their own interest, form an association of united communities against drugs and crime, and then organise peaceful marches in lens of thousands to Leinster House. Only then will the Establishment listen to them, as is evidenced by their lack of effective representation on the commission on crime.
A critical and inherently dangerous situation is developing and it can, and must, be turned into a positive and effective direction. What is required is a clear demonstration of people power, used constructively. Make no mistake, the vested interests in the machinery of State will not yield easily. The people's involvement in drugs and crime must be made into a major political issue if it is to succeed.
If the people can succeed on this issue, then they can turn their attention to all the other issues requiring community involvement. - Yours, etc.,
Newtownmountkennedy,
Co Wicklow.