Anti-social behaviour report presented to Minister

STRENGTHENING the bond between parents and their babies has been cited as one of the key ways in which to tackle the plague of anti-social behaviour in Dublin.

That was one of the recommendations included in a report presented to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter last week.

The Lord Mayor’s Commission Report also suggests that a multi-agency approach, directed by the Lord Mayor, is required to combat anti-social behaviour in the city.

According to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Andrew Montague, local communities must also play their part in tackling anti-social behaviour, which can be

“destructive, de-stabilising and eroding of any feeling of community safety and wellbeing

?.

The report is a collaboration of recommendations and views from local politicians, top gardai, psychologists and representatives from the Irish Prison Service, the Irish Youth Justice System and the Anna Liffey Drugs Project.

According to a key recommendation in the report, anti-social behaviour can be nipped in the bud from early childhood.

“The HSE’s Early Intervention Parenting Programmes work and should be rolled out throughout the city, starting with the most marginalised communities,

? the Lord Mayor stated.

“These programmes strengthen the bond between parents and infants in the first two years of life.

“Research consistently shows that these parenting programmes offer the best value for money in giving a child the emotional skills to deal with life and diverting them from a later pattern of anti-social behaviour.

?

There is also a serious problem with the sale and swapping of prescription drugs in the city centre.

According to the Cllr Montague, the gardai need to be empowered to prosecute in cases where offenders are found to be trading prescription drugs.

“Methadone treatment must be made promptly available where the user lives,

? he stated.

“Implement local services for methadone treatment for local people in local areas, rather than forcing people to access services in the city centre.

?

The report also recommends that restorative justice, which focuses on the needs of the victim and the local community, be used to force offenders to face up to the impact and consequences of their behaviour.

“It offers an effective response to anti-social behaviour and offending generally,

? the Lord Mayor stated.

“It can be used for a range of offences from anti-social behaviour to serious crime and can even be used in conjunction with prison sentences.

“It can be very effective either as an alternative or a complement to the existing range of responses and I believe the use of restorative justice should be extended in the Dublin area.

?

Welcoming the report, Minister Alan Shatter praised the Lord Mayor and all those who contributed to it.

“The report highlights a range of existing approaches which have had positive results at local level, and this shows that despite many challenges, progress can be made,

? the minister stated.

“The report will clearly be of interest and assistance to a number of Government departments in their consideration of a range of important policies.

?