A Dublin publican says Gardaí looking to crack down on drugs are “always welcome”.

Last week, interim Justice Minister Harris told the Dáil there is a “direct link between snorting a line or taking a pill and murder, assault, criminality and misery” in the community. 

He said that Gardaí took drug use in such as pubs and clubs, “extremely seriously” and promised “there will be more” by way of enforcement. 

Such a statement is music to the ears of publican Enda Keogh from Peter’s Pub in Dublin. 

“Dealing with people who’ve substance abuse [problems] isn’t pleasant,” he told Newstalk reporter Henry McKean. 

“It is creeping in and I think, as a society, we’ve become very tolerant toward drug taking. 

“It definitely isn’t good and it’s very difficult to deal with people that have substance abuse problems.” 

'Welcome anytime'

The prospect of Gardaí coming into a pub to look for drug users is not just appropriate, he feels, but positive. 

“I have no problem with the Guards coming into our premises; I think it’s good and if they want to they’re welcome any time they like,” he said. 

“They’ve always been welcome here and I think we’ve nothing to hide and it’s good going forward if they’re visible and trying to track it down and stamp it out… Drugs and alcohol don’t mix - everybody knows that.” 

'Complex'

Such a hard-line attitude is not one favoured by psychiatrist Colin O’Gara who works in addiction services. 

“The reasons two men might be taking cocaine in a cubicle are complex,” he said. 

“It may be simply hedonistic and it may be that those two gentlemen are not going to have a problem. 

“But in a lot of cases, people are taking drugs where they’d prefer not to be taking drugs and they’d prefer to be doing something more adaptive with their time and money.” 

Dr O'Gara. Image: Henry McKean/Newstalk

He believes that personal drug use should be decriminalised and that addicts deserve support - not punishment. 

“Criminalising young people, which will have an effect on their prospects in the future, in my view, makes no sense. 

“Of course, the distribution of drugs should be criminalised - there’s no question in my mind about that - but in terms of the people at the end; blaming them for what they’re doing is very not helpful in my view. 

“I think we need to support people who are in that situation.” 

Main image: Garda officers in hi-viz jackets walking past a pub in Dublin. Main image: