Social media exposing young people to the world of drugs

Brand new ‘The Guards: Inside The K’ continues on Virgin Media One on tomorrow night at 9pm (Wednesday, March 11).

With extraordinary footage, this documentary series will give viewers unprecedented access to gardai working in the K, Ireland’s busiest policing district which includes Blanchardstown, Finglas and Cabra.

In episode two, the programme takes a look at the growing drugs epidemic facing Ireland as the illicit trade reaches an all-time high. The guards in the K District are policing a new generation of reckless, young and violent criminal who use social media to sell drugs and intimidate their rivals.

Speaking about the drug epidemic in Ireland, Detective Inspector Thelma Watters said: “Parents need to be aware of the risks of social media which has opened up the availability of all types of illegal drugs, particularly to our young people and children.  

“Parents must be concerned about unexplained cash or possession of branded clothing or luxury items by young people and children, who can be entrapped and lured into the drugs world with devastating consequences for families, leading to intimidation, violence, fear and possibly death.”