Crack cocaine is causing "chaos and destruction" in West Dublin, according to a new report.
The Tallaght Drugs and Alcohol Task Force found a growing number of service users are female.
So women are now making up a third of those seeking support last year.
Tallaght-Whitechurch is experiencing a “tsunami” of crack addiction.
The Task Force says this is growing ever more popular among women.
Co-ordinator Grace Hill says drug dealers are preying on young women:
"Drug dealers are quite capable of targeting the most vulnerable people in communities."
"That includes young women."
Finally, she says, "We see the impact of crack cocaine on women as well, because of how it destroys a person's life."
Crack Houses Affecting Families
Meanwhile, the report identified 100 “crack houses” in the area, where children of users are being exposed to substance abuse.
Tim Murphy says entire families are being impacted:
"Usually adult children have racked up a significant drug debt and then the parents become a target for intimidation."
[New to the library] The landscape of substance misuse and its impact on the communities of Tallaght’s Drugs and Alcohol Task Force https://t.co/HfL7grJavL pic.twitter.com/UHJuNmNAlW
— Drugs Library (@HRBdrugslibrary) November 8, 2021
Calls For Extra Investment
Finally, Senator Lynne Ruane is backing calls for an extra 1 million euro in investment:
"The investment in us and our families and our lives goes beyond a number at the end of a balance sheet each year."
"Until they understand that, we're going to keep going around and around in this loop."
The report also says more staff and community gardaí are needed to tackle the issue.
