A group representing communities affected by drugs has called for the drugs problem to be made an election issue.
The CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign said that urgent action is needed to tackle the increasing supply of heroin and the major growth in cocaine use across the country.
Group coordinator Anna Quigley said that drugs were now a major problem in towns throughout the country as well as in cities.
She said she wanted to see a senior Government minister be given sole responsibility for the national drugs strategy.
The group is also calling for greater funding for community groups which are tackling the drugs problem.
Tony Geoghegan of the Merchants Quay Drugs Project said that there are currently 8,000 people on methadone but there is a lack of rehabilitation services which needs to be tackled urgently.
The group also said that the assets of middle-ranging criminals involved in drug dealing should be targeted by authorities.
It said that many families are currently living in fear of drug dealers and loan-sharks.
