Crack cocaine in the Dublin region - Health Research Board

10 Policing crack markets10.0 OverviewThis section reviews law-enforcement activities in relation to drug supply. The overallobjective of such activities is considered. Using data from a focus group with membersof the Garda National Drugs Unit, a description of street-based interventions by AnGarda Síochána is provided. This includes Operation Plaza which was establishedin response to the emergence of crack cocaine in Dublin. The role of the gardaíin diverting drug users into treatment and some of the challenges faced by lawenforcement in this area are also considered.10.1 Introduction: responding to drug supplyIt is important to consider what policing interventions in illicit drug markets are seekingto achieve and how specific market structures and forms of organisation can impacton interventions. Policing initiatives, be they in terms of street patrols or intelligenceledoperations of a more covert nature, strive to disrupt markets and thus reduce orcontrol supply. On the other hand, demand-reduction strategies attempt to target usersand divert them into drug treatment, by means of arrest referral schemes, for example.It is assumed that by reducing supply and demand the market will ultimately shrink anddrug-related crime will decrease accordingly.A number of writers in this area have shown, however, that law-enforcement initiativescan have unintended consequences (Wilson and Stevens 2008). This is partly due to alimited evidence base in relation to supply-control activities. As May and Hough (2001:141) point out: ‘The relationships between the supply of illicit drugs, the demand forthem and enforcement activities are poorly conceptualised, under-researched and littleunderstood.’Applying basic market logic, it might be assumed that successful attempts to stiflesupply would lead to higher prices, and that this in turn would reduce consumption. Inreality, however, most estimates of prices throughout Europe show them to be eitherstable or falling (EMCDDA 2006). There are a number of possible reasons for this. First,it is estimated that law-enforcement activity leads to the seizure of only 10%–20% ofthe drugs in circulation; the amount that remains undetected is such that the longtermimpact of successful enforcement is likely to be minimal (Connolly 2006a; UNODC2005). Second, drug distribution systems adapt quickly, so that where drug suppliershave been arrested, they will quickly be replaced (Reuter et al. 1990). Third, demand isoften inelastic for problematic drug users, relative to moderate or recreational users,and increased prices may simply lead them to engage in greater levels of crime in orderto pay the higher prices (Wagstaff and Maynard 1988).100 Crack cocaine in the Dublin region: an evidence base for a crack cocaine strategy