Drug-related intimidation is one of the most cruel and controlling crimes operating in all our communities. It does not just target the person with an addiction. It terrorises families. Parents and children are being threatened, coerced and forced into constant fears. We have heard victims say that fear never leaves them. Over the past five years, as the Minister knows, 2,500 cases have been recorded with 150 arson attacks due to drug intimidation. In Dundalk, the Family Addiction Support Network, FASN, is doing critical front-line work with these families. The network provides confidential support, safety planning and practical guidance for people being exploited by drug dealers, who abuse their vulnerability. The network works hand in hand with An Garda and national response agencies, yet it does so with insecure and limited funding. If we are serious about tackling drug-related intimidation, we must fund the services that families trust. I am asking for sustainable, ring-fenced funding for FASN in Dundalk and other similar organisations, because that is real and effective preventative justice.

I thank Deputy McGreehan for raising this issue. She is correct in stating that drug-related intimidation is a scourge on our society. As the instances of drug taking increase, there is regrettably more drug intimidation. The model behind drug dealing is generation of profits for drug dealers. As a society, we all need to recognise that and people need to understand when they start experimenting with drugs that the consequence of it is that they can expose themselves to this drug-related intimidation. An Garda Síochána is very aware of it and has responded to it in many instances. We saw some horrific arson attacks in recent times. I want to ensure that the services are funded, because the best way of ensuring we do not have drug-related intimidation is if we can get people off drugs and we get people to realise that drugs have a very negative impact on their lives.