Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy launches first national report on drug-related intimidation, and highlights support available through the DRIVE initiative

• Data collected from drug and alcohol services and supports nationwide demonstrates the key role community services play to provide confidential support for people affected by DRI
• The DRIVE (Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement) project has trained over 800 individuals across 24 drug and alcohol task force areas to offer support to those impacted by DRI
• Information and contacts about DRI support can be found at www.driveproject.ie

Drug related intimidation in Ireland: the first data report from the National DRIVE Project details the nature and extent of DRI experienced by people who accessed drug and alcohol services and supports who disclosed DRI. The report will help to inform how services in local communities can continue to support and respond to DRI. Future reports will demonstrate the impact of DRIVE project-related interventions and supports and how they are tackling DRI within communities.

The DRIVE project is a national, evidence‑based, interagency initiative providing a coordinated, data‑driven response to drug‑related intimidation and violence, as well as offering support to individuals and communities impacted by DRI. It provides clear systems and structures for agencies to work together effectively, with support and strong interagency collaboration at the core of its approach and overall success.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Murnane O’Connor said:

“Drug related intimidation is very insidious and frightening.

“We want people who are affected by this to know that they are not alone. As this report demonstrates, this is an issue affecting every community and people from all walks of life.

Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces can put you in touch with a range of confidential services and supports in your local community and Gardaí are on hand to offer advice without the need to make formal complaints.

“I want to acknowledge the work of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces who are rolling out DRIVE-specific training to sectors so that we can respond effectively and support people all over the country who are impacted.”

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said:

"Drug-related intimidation is a pervasive issue that inflicts profound harm on individuals, families, and communities nationwide. It manifests in various forms, from threats and coercion to physical violence, often leaving victims in a state of fear and isolation.

“By offering training, resources, and support to service providers, the DRIVE project will increase capacity to assist victims effectively.

"I welcome the first national publication of findings on drug-related intimidation among people engaged with addiction and/or family support services in Ireland. It is important that our response to drug-related intimidation and how we support those affected by it, is evidence-based. The findings of the report show there was an increase in cases in 2025 compared to 2024 figures so we cannot become complacent.

"I endorse the report’s recommendations, particularly the need to strengthen interagency collaboration and policy development. The invasive nature of drug-related intimidation has been demonstrated by this report, and it necessitates multi-agency action.

“I thank all stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána, Regional and Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force Networks, and the HSE, for their invaluable work providing an integrated response to drug-related intimidation.”

Key findings of the report include:

• Of the 1,027 cases of DRI recorded nationally all age groups were affected, from under 18s to those over 50 years. Most of the affected were men (59%).
• 63% of all cases lived with family - indicating potential hidden harm within households.
• For six cases in 10, DRI was related to their own drug use; and for three in 10 DRI was related to another person’s drug use.
• Cocaine was the main drug linked to DRI (59%), followed by cannabis (14%).
• Drug debt was reported by 67% of cases and ranged from less than €100 to more than €20,000.
  • 23% of those had debts of €1,000-€4,999, followed by 22% with debts of €100-€999. 10% had debts over €10,000.
  • The most common debt repayment method was borrowing from family/friends (39.8%), followed by instalments (30.4%), and savings (22%).
• The most common types of intimidation included threats to individuals (64%), followed by threats to family (25%), and violence to the individual (20%).
• 29% of cases experienced DRI for more than one year; 19% experienced DRI for more than six months but less than a year.
• 10% of cases were reported to Gardaí, 46% of all cases were resolved informally (without the formal intervention of An Garda Síochána), and 20% of cases reported that DRI continued during their contact with drug and alcohol services.

Dr Suzi Lyons Health Research Board said:

“This first data report from the DRIVE project confirms the lived experiences of people affected by drug-related intimidation in Ireland.

“It shows that drug-related intimidation affects everyone, both old and young, families, friends and the wider community.

“Ireland is leading the way in systematically capturing the evidence as it is embedded in the Health Research Board’s (HRB’s) national system, which will inform the integrated coordinated, community-based response to the harms of DRI”.

The DRIVE project has developed specialised training for all services in communities to create awareness, reduce stigma, provide signposting to supports and to let people know they are not alone.

There are currently 76 trainers delivering training to local community-based services, all over the country. To date over 800 people have received training in a wide variety of services including, local community support services, sports clubs, community and youth services.

Speaking at today’s launch Assistant Commissioner for Organised and Serious Crime Angela Willis said:

“Drug related intimidation, as we have seen from the data launched today, is an issue which can affect all ages and permeates across all counties. It is also a crime by its very nature which can be difficult for those experiencing it to report to An Garda Síochána.

“I want to assure those victims that it is something we take very seriously, and we are here to support those affected when they are in a position to come forward. We will listen, and when you are ready we will act.

“Since 2021, the reported incidents of drug-related intimidation to An Garda Síochána have increased. In 2025 we have dealt with in the region of 600 incidents of drug related intimidation.

“We have also seen those arrested and charged increase, and in recent days we have had significant arrests and court appearances following the attempted murder of a woman in Clondalkin.

“An Garda Síochána is here to support victims of drug related intimidation and violence, and we are here to work through the challenges they face. There are dedicated drug related intimidation liaison inspectors in place in every Garda Division in the country who proactively support our commitments under the DRIVE programme and ensure a coordinated approach working with our partners in the Department of Health.

“The data today provides us with greater insights into how this initiative can develop further and An Garda Síochána looks forward to continuing this partnership approach into the future”.

Drug related intimidation in Ireland: the first data report

More information on the supports and services available

ENDS

Notes to editor

About the report

• The data was collected using the HRB’s National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), which is the national epidemiological database that records and reports on addiction treatment in Ireland.
• The NDTRS is managed by the National Health Information Systems (NHIS) Unit in the Health Research Board (HRB) and is funded by the Department of Health.
• The report pertains to the year 2025 (154 in 2024 and 873 in 2025).
• Although formal DRI recording commenced in 2025, some services recorded retrospective disclosures for 2024.
• Given the novel nature of this data, it was deemed appropriate to include the 2024 data, while acknowledging that it does not represent a complete dataset for this year.

Key report findings

• 1,027 cases of DRI recorded nationally
• All age groups are affected, from under 18s to over 50 years
• The majority, or 59% of cases were male
• 63% lived with family (including parents, partners, child(ren)), indicating potential hidden harm within households

Reasons for DRI

• 59% related to their own drug use
• 28% related to another person’s drug use

Drugs linked to DRI

• Cocaine is the main drug linked to DRI (59%; powder 47%); followed by cannabis 14%, then opioids 8%

Debt associated with DRI

• Ranged from less than €100 to more than €20,000
• Most common amounts: 23% €1,000-€4,999, followed by 22% €100-€999, 10% debts over €10,000
• Debt repayment methods: most common method was borrowing from family/friends (39.8%), followed by instalments (30.4%), and savings (22%)

Nature of intimidation

• Most common types: threats to individuals (64%), followed by threats to family (25%), and violence to the individual (20%)

Duration of DRI

• The duration of intimidation varied:
  • 29% experienced DRI for more than one year
  • 19% experience DRI for more than six months but less than a year

Outcomes of DRI

• 46% resolved informally (without the formal intervention of An Garda Síochána)
• 20% ongoing during treatment
• 10% of cases reported to Gardai

About DRIVE

• The DRIVE project is a national evidence-based response, to address drug related intimidation and violence against individuals, families and communities.
• DRIVE is funded by the Department of Health and managed by the National DRIVE Oversight Committee. group
• The National DRIVE Oversight Committee was established in 2020, and the DRIVE Framework was developed and published in November 2021, fulfilling a priority in the National Drugs Strategy to address the challenges arising from drug use in communities nationwide.
• The recently published draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029 includes continued support for the DRIVE initiative.
• Through the DRIVE project, training and capacity building is rolled out to community-based services in order to ensure appropriate supports are provided by those impacted by DRI.

National Drive Oversight Committee

• Implementation of the DRIVE framework is managed and coordinated by a National DRIVE Oversight Committee (DOC). Its objective is to build the capacity of key stakeholders and communities around Ireland to respond to drug related intimidation and violence and reduce the harm within communities.
• This interagency group is comprised of representation from the following sectors:
• Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force
• Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force
• Department of Health
• Department of Justice
• Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau
• Probation Service
• HSE National Addiction Advisory Governance Group
• Health Research Board
• National Voluntary Drug & Alcohol Sector
• Probation Service
• Tusla

The DRIVE project is supported by the DRIVE project Team – DRIVE Co-ordinator Siobhan, DRIVE Project Officer and DRIVE Data, Research and Evaluation Co-ordinator.

More information on the supports and services available