Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson spoke out after hardline republicans in Derry revealed they were planning to stage protest marches and demonstrations at the homes of alleged pushers

A spokesperson for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (CSM) told the ‘Journal’ it aims to make a “proactive response” to the growing drug problem in Derry.

Ms Anderson, who is a member of the North’s Policing Board, says she hopes pickets and protest marches won’t be necessary - but argues that such tactics have proved successful in other areas.

“The reality is that the social fabric of our communities are being torn apart by drugs,” she said. “I have been approached by families who are concerned about the scourge of drug dealers and we would support them in exposing those drug dealers to the community.

“Pickets are an option but I would hope that there are other steps we can take as a community before we get to that point. I am not ruling out that kind of action but other avenues should be explored before this. I would hope that we don’t need to go to people’s doors. I wouldn’t say that type of action is totally wrong and ultimately it was something that was successful in other areas,” she said.

The Policing Board member added that many people in the republican and nationalist community aren’t convinced the PSNI are willing to tackle the drug problem.

“Many people feel the PSNI have not displayed willingness to deal with drug dealers in our areas and there is a feeling of abandonment which we have to address and part of my work on the Policing Board is to do just that. There is a role for the PSNI and I would appeal for anyone with information on the peddlers of these poisonous substances to pass it on,” she said.

Cocaine ‘explosion’

Earlier this week, the the 32 CSM in the city warned of an “explosion” of cocaine use in Derry.

“People living in communities across Derry are sick, sore and tired of drug dealers operating openly in their communities and they have had enough of it,” said a spokesperson. “A community response is needed to tackle this problem. The Sovereignty Movement is looking at ways to respond to this and we are not ruling anything out. Marches and pickets at the doors of drug dealers is one option and if the local communities tell us this is what they want to do, then we will be there to support them.

“This is an issue for communities across the city and, if they want to stand up to drug dealers in this way, then the Sovereignty movement will back them 100 per cent.”