Dublin - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

Drug Pushers Out!!!

dublin | crime and justice | event notice

Monday June 27, 2005 18:22

by COCAD - Coalition of Communities Against Drugs

The Inside Story of the Anti Drugs Movement

For over 20 years Dublin’s working class communities have been ravished by heroin. Each time the heroin crisis became an epidemic the local communities organised themselves to fight back. At last, a book has been written by somebody who was in the middle of this fightback. This book, “Pushers Out”, gives the affected communities side of the story. It pulls no punches and records the highs and the lows of the 20 year campaign.

The Coalition of Communities Against Drugs are launching “Pushers Out” in St. Catherine’s Community Centre in the South Inner City on 30th June at 7:00pm

For over 20 years Dublin’s working class communities have been ravished by heroin. Each time the heroin crisis became an epidemic the local communities organised themselves to fight back. At last, a book has been written by somebody who was in the middle of this fightback. This book, “Pushers Out”, gives the affected communities side of the story. It pulls no punches and records the highs and the lows of the 20 year campaign.

The Coalition of Communities Against Drugs are launching “Pushers Out” in St. Catherine’s Community Centre in the South Inner City on 30th June at 7:00pm

Speakers on the night will include:-
Tony Gregory TD
Councillor Peter Dempsey
Brian Hanley Historian

St. Catherine’s Community Centre is one of the many community facilities across Dublin built as a result of the campaign against heroin.

About the Book
For two decades Dublin working class communities, in the face of official neglect, fought to overcome an epidemic of heroin abuse that engulfed them. Led, variously, by the Concerned Parents Against Drugs (CPAD) and the Coalition of Communities Against Drugs (COCAD) organisations, the campaign captured headlines as a result of the policy of directly confronting drug pushers. At the same time pressure was continually applied to the government and statutory agencies for concerted action to address the drug crisis. While successful in mobilising communities and impacting on the heroin problem the campaign was marked by continuous conflict with the authorities and dogged by criticisms of vigilantism and of being a front for the IRA.

About the Author
Born in 1957 in Georgetown, Guyana, to an Irish mother and a Guyanese father, André Lyder was educated at Blackrock College, Dublin, and the University of Guelph, Ontario. Living and working in Dublin's inner city for some ten years he became active in the anti-drugs movement in 1996, soon assuming a position on the executive committee of the Coalition of Communities Against Drugs (COCAD) and acting as spokesperson of the organisation. In 1997, he was appointed Chair of the task force established by the Irish government to address the heroin problem in Dublin's south inner city. Lyder currently resides in Owen Sound, Ontario.
Publishers Website: www.trafford.ie

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Comments (9 of 9)

Open Invitation

by COCAD

Mon Jun 27, 2005 18:34

This is an open invitation event, anybody with an interest in the State's response to working class people organising themselves should attend.

A good read..

by Gulliver

Tue Jun 28, 2005 15:48

Actually a great read ... and a solid contribution to Dublin working class history. Congratulations to COCAD and the author. Apart from documenting the anti-drugs campaign it contains loads of other meaty stuff. There is a comprehensive outline of the development of drugs policy in Ireland and isues around that; a dynamite historical critique of the Garda Siochana (including new revelations about some of those involved in the McBrearty case); good insight into the courts and justice system; and an interesting argument on the question of vigilantism (though I'm not sure it stands up).
The author is refreshingly honest throughout ... including on his dealings with the Republican movement.

Best of luck with it!

Best of luck

by Ois - WSM

Thu Jun 30, 2005 04:06

Looks like an interesting talk. Unfortunately, I can't make it.

I'm to young to have participated in this. So I'd love to hear and read about it.I saw the book in Connolly Books a few days ago. I'll pick it up sooner or later.

Fair play to you for getting this done. And best of luck with it. I hope it makes a you a bit of money.

Hahaha....

by Jam Sanchwiches

Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:13

Well I can make it along Ois so i'll tell you all about it afterwards...um, kay?

venue

by dunk

Thu Jun 30, 2005 13:32

where exactly is st catherines?

St. Catherine's Community Centre...

by Liberties Lad

Thu Jun 30, 2005 14:38

is on Marrowbone Lane (Cork Street end).