CHILDREN AS young as 10 are dealing drugs with many seeing it as “easy money” and as means to “increase their social status”.
That’s according to the findings of an annual study by the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
The research also revealed that, in one large Dublin suburb, children as young as eight are employed as runner to carry concealed drugs undetected.
Janet Robinson and Jim Doherty, the researchers behind the study which was conducted over the last three years, drew from a range of data sources to create the 118-page 2018 trend analysis.
The Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force uncovered a notable increase in the number of under-18s dealing drugs over the past two years.
According to their findings, the average age of a drug “runner” in Ireland last year was 13 with children as young as eight carrying drugs for older dealers.
The average age of a drug dealer in the Dublin region was just 14 while there was a reported incident of a drug dealer being as young as 10.
While young dealers were found to be predominantly male, some females as young as 12 were found to have been involved in the illegal narcotics trade.
“An explanation for the youngest ages was reported to be that older family members were drug dealers,” the report states.
“Participants reported the perception that young people were attracted to drug dealing as a way to make ‘easy money’ and to increase their social status.”
Minors have long-been used by older dealers as their age means fewer criminal consequences in the event of them being apprehended by the authorities, the report claims.
It also suggested that intimidation could be a factor in the rise with potential instances “whereby young people are forced to hold and sell drugs to pay off debts”.
Further information on the findings of The Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force can be accessed here.
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