WE have to believe we can win all wars, including the war on drugs, Mayor John Moran told the Limerick Post in an exclusive interview this week.
Mayor Moran, sitting down with this newspaper a year into his mayoralty, says that Gardaí need the proper resources to deal with the drugs scourge in the city. However, he is hopeful that an expert group he has tasked with tackling homelessness and drug addiction can also make a positive impact.
In recent weeks, this newspaper has published stories about dealers openly peddling drugs in children’s playgrounds in St Mary’s Park and elderly people no longer feeling safe going to Mass in the city due to the prevalence of open drug dealing and drug use.
Mayor Moran now says he can support Gardaí in the fight against drugs by raising the issue at every opportunity with government ministers.
“Gardaí are doing their best. The problem is getting worse internationally. I can certainly shout on their behalf. I met the Minister for Justice last week and I could tell by his face that he had been told exactly the same thing an hour earlier,” Mayor Moran told this reporter.
Last September, Limerick’s first directly-elected Mayor announced the setting up of the first of a range of expert groups aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Limerick. These groups will bring together experts from different fields to work with a local councillor and develop specific actionable tasks for Limerick over the coming years.
The first of these groups, co-chaired by Aontú councillor Sarah Beasley, is dedicated to proposing practical, sustainable solutions to address homelessness and drug addiction throughout Limerick.
The group’s recommendations will focus on specific short-term actions which can be taken, on the road to comprehensive solutions for those faced with homelessness within the community.
The Mayor believes this task force can make a significant impact on winning the drugs war in Limerick.
“This all starts with making sure every kid has an equal opportunity. That will not solve, on its own, the problems with deprivation and drugs, but if we can get to every kid from the age of four and follow them through their lives, you’ll see an improvement over time.
“Right now we’re working to get the right people in the room and hopefully in 10 years time we won’t be looking at these problems the same way as we are today.”
