The inter Departmental nature of the Government's response to the drugs crisis is one of the more heartening developments of recent times. For too long the various agencies of the State have lacked focus and cohesion in their reactions to change in society, and the threat to law and order. But more innovative, thinking, along with difficult structural, administrative and ethical changes, will be required if public confidence in the rule of law is to be revived.
Four Bills dealing with drug trafficking and the assets generated by criminal activities, passed through the Dail and Seanad this week. A further two pieces of legislation have been referred for consideration to Dail committees. Preparations are being made to hold a referendum on bail in the autumn. And other legislative, administrative and educational changes involving drugs are being prepared.
This package of anti drug measures is nothing less than what was demanded by the public. And the decision to create a Criminal Assets Bureau involving experts from the Garda Siochana, the Revenue Commissioners and Social Welfare - who will identify, freeze and seize criminal assets, is a positive development in multi disciplinary co operation.
A further and belated initiative by the Minister for Justice involves the preparation by her officials of an overall statement on crime policy formulation and strategy, to be published in the autumn. This will attempt to identify gaps in strategy and will be published as an aid to public discussion. Moving the debate beyond the confines of the Department of Justice will help. And the appointment of a broadly based Crime Council, with a remit to advise the Government on matters relating to crime policy and strategy, has already been delayed for too long.
The review of the Garda Siochana, however, must not be limited to the kind of efficiency audit conducted recently for the Defence Forces. The disarray and friction which exists amongst Garda ranks because of trade union style disputes is deeply damaging to public confidence. And the double jobbing activities of some of its members have raised important issues of ethics, discipline and the black economy. There is also a public desire that members of the Garda should be based locally and should knit more closely into the fabric of the community.
These are difficult and delicate issues but they are already being discussed within the Force. The new Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Byrne, would be well placed to initiate a debate which would lead to the acceptance of strict new rules of behaviour by the membership.
There is enormous support for the Garda in this country. They are the first line of defence against the forces of crime and corruption. The Taoiseach told the Dail last Thursday that the Garda had served the country well since the foundation of the State. And few would disagree with him. But he also said the force must adapt to face new challenges. Those changes, both administrative, cultural and operational, will be vital for long term public confidence.
Introducing a fistful of Bills in the Dail will not solve the drugs crisis. The problems of society which give rise to drug abuse, and their solutions, run far deeper than that. But it is a good start to reassure the public that action is being taken against the criminals who benefit financially from this trade and who traffic in death. All party agreement exists in the Dail that money must be spent within deprived communities to combat the drugs scourge. Four out of five drug addicts are unemployed and three out of five left school with minimal education.
Remedial action will involve educational programmes in schools; treatment and rehabilitation courses arranged by the Department of Health and community based arrangements involving the Garda, State agencies and local authorities. It will be a costly and lengthy programme. There are no magic solutions to the drugs and crime issues.