No Dope Here

sirfranny

sirfranny

Greenlighter
Joined
Dec 25, 2009
Messages
27
Location
occupied ireland
hi, just a heads up about a new book studying anti-drugs vigilantism in the north of ireland. heres a quote about it from the amazon link

This is a compelling account of the drugs industry and vigilante/paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, written with an intelligent and, as far as is possible, non-judgmental voice. It is investigatiove journalist at its best-uncompromising but never sensational,the result of a vast amount of meticulous research and exclusive interviews, and is edited with impeccable referencing. It's also a remarkably easy read, engrossing and human. The author is to be respected for his personal courage and integrity in making an invaluable contribution to our social history and providing a catalyst for informed debate on everything from community policing to drugs legislation. Some may flinch at what it uncovers- I'd argue that it should be read by youth, social, and community workers, educators and policy makers alike.
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/NO-DOPE-HER...=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354400991&sr=1-3
 
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This looks like a great book. It's definitely an interesting (and bizarre) topic. Prohibition militias are the most embryonic and deliberate manifestations of the war on drugs.
 
Yeah, I'd like to read this. It's not available from the largest online book store here yet, but if and when it gets added I'll probably buy it for the read and for my library.

Thanks.
 
The actions of these paramilitary vigilantes have been horrendous for the people living in the areas where they operate.

Over the past three years at least 45 people have been shot, one fatally, in the Derry/Londonderry area by a gang calling themselves Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD). Many more have been forced to leave the area under threat of 'execution'. Most of the victims have been young men from deprived neighbourhoods. According to RAAD's own claims of responsibility, many of their victims have been 'guilty' of nothing more than selling small amounts of weed to their friends.

Next year Derry/Londonderry is due to become the UK 'City of Culture' in a bid to attract tourists. Some of those promoting the 'City of Culture' have been critical of journalists who have reported RAAD's campaign, accusing them of damaging the city's reputation. The city's reputation would be better served by seeking ways to end the violence and bringing the perpetrators to justice, something the Police Service of Northern Ireland has so far been unable, or unwilling to do.
 
The disbandment/merger of RAAD occurred after a wave of popular revulsion against them. Following the murder of a popular young man, Andy Allen, in County Donegal, and reports that parents were being told to bring their children to be 'shot [in the legs] by appointment' or face 'execution' by RAAD, there was a series of well-attended protest rallies against RAAD in Derry.

The new 'IRA' seems to be targeting higher profile, more organised, drug dealing gangs in Dublin. These gangs have the capacity to return fire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19474261

Unlike the shootings in Northern Ireland, the murders in Dublin have been followed by arrests. There has been speculation that the Garda Siochana (Irish Police) allowed murders to occur before arresting the perpetrators.

The 'Anti-drug militias' in Ireland are in a large part a product of Irish History but the global 'War on Drugs' helps them to claim legitimacy.

Are there similar violent anti-drugs gangs in other parts of the world?
 
The Russian group actually seem more dramatic, or at least more theatrical and less violent, than RAAD. There is a news story
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/fl-hollywood-pain-clinic-fire-20121226,0,5599303.story in the media section here where a supposedly legitimate pressure group in the US, 'Stop The Organised Pill Pushers' come close to condoning an arson attack on a pain clinic.
Perhaps the most optimistic spin that can be put on the existence of these vigilante groups is that they may be a reaction to changing attitudes towards drug use and prohibition.
 
The new "IRA" seem to be more focused on trying to murder members of the security forces than attacking alleged drug dealers in Northern Ireland at present. 'Punishment' attacks seem to increase whenever the security forces are being left alone by Republican paramilitaries eg the 'Direct Action Against Drugs'* murders that followed the ceasefires of the 1990s.

If there are new drug scares and moral panics in the media then the 'New IRA' will probably try to capitalise on them by shooting a few drug takers.

*a cover name used by the Belfast Brigade of the Provisional IRA to avoid being penalised for breaching their ceasefire
 
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This article written by the late Nicholas Saunders about a visit to Northern Ireland in the early 1990s sheds some light on the ambivalent attitudes of some paramilitaries towards the emerging drug scene in Northern Ireland at that time:

http://ecstasy.org/info/ireland.html
 
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A second review now on amazon.co.uk
No Dope Here raises many issues about drug policy and the activities of paramilitaries in northern ireland. The action taken by republicans & loyalists against drug takers and dealers makes for some very shocking reading. It is often described in detail and the victims and many protagonists are named. The paramilitaries, act as judge, jury and mete out the punishments or executions often with some public support.

The author lives in Derry amongst many of the people described in the book. Although he is very careful (not surprisingly) to be dispassionate & balanced. For me, in the true tradition of the finest journalism, there is a subdued anger that comes across. Firstly, at the stupidity and hypocrisy of failed drug policies in general and secondly, at the sheer, bloody brutality of the paramilitary thugs. It takes great courage to write about a subject in an area where you live and where armed thugs roam and who might just take exception to your viewpoint.

I highly recommend this brilliant work to anyone who who has an interest in the "troubles", as they are not over yet & there is no sign of them going away for the foreseeable future.
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