A fascinating documentary from the RTE Investigates team aired on Tuesday evening on Prime Time - focusing on the rise and rise of crack cocaine use in one of Dublin's most infamous suburbs, Ballymun.
Over the course of several weeks, RTÉ Investigates monitored and filmed across several locations in Ballymun with some harrowing findings.
Drugs were openly sold on the streets, in parks and housing estates.
One of the busiest dealing spots was an area near to where senior citizens live at Dolmen Court on Balbutcher Lane.
That spot saw over 40 potential deals taking place over a four-hour period.
Other shocking findings included:
- One in three people being treated for cocaine addiction in Ballymun being on crack – higher than in any other part of Dublin.
The community has the highest level of people with opiate addiction in the country, 10 times the national average.
One person who featured throughout the documentary, Jason, explained why he did crack in a blunt fashion.
"If we have money, we do it," said Jason. "If we get money during the week, we do it. Crack comes first. It takes over. You can't get enough of it.
"It's crazy how much it takes over. With heroin, it's a physical sickness: you will go out to rob, but you don't have the energy. You'll do anything to get your next rock – you'll lower yourself, do things you'd never do," said Jason.
Meanwhile, Dr Anne Marie Carew, research officer for the Health Research Board, said: “What’s different in terms of Ballymun is the rate of crack cocaine in the treatment figures. Approximately 1 in 3 cases that are coming to treatment for cocaine use are using crack. This rate is high. This is telling us is that the problem in Ballymun is acute"
People who watched the doc took to social media in the aftermath.
"Breaks my heart to see the drugs destroying parts of Dublin. Crack/Coke and Heroin out now." tweeted one user.
A second added: "My doctoral thesis is on substance use in mental health service users because I saw first hand the impact of substance use in services. We need to change our attitude to drugs& services if we want safer communities"
While another said "This is like watching The Wire"
A fourth was concerned about the potential damage to young people
"Children walking by that carry on coming home from school is a discrace. Pushers want to bring everyone down with them."
- You can watch RTE Prime Time on the RTE Player
