Children as young as 10 are being groomed for the drugs trade in Dublin.
A new report into criminal networks in areas between the Liberties and Walkinstown has found many of the children used as runners and carriers are considered "expendable".
The report highlights less than 2% of those aged between 12 and 40 are involved in crime.
However, it warns the impact is often "corrosive and damaging" on the local communities.
According to the research there are two main criminal networks in Dublin South Central, with a 'loose hierarchical structure'.
The top players are said to be rarely directly connected with criminal activity.
Meanwhile, 'middle-men' - said to be mostly young men who often use drugs themselves - work the streets and carry out jobs.
The research found that children as young as 10 or 11 - many of whom are still in primary school - are groomed by the gangs to be runners and carriers, and are considered to be both 'expendable' and 'plentiful'.
Author of the research - Dr Johnny Connolly of the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies at the University of Limerick -explained: "Less than 2% of the population aged from 12 to 40 are engaged in these networks, so it is not a huge figure.
"It's not saying that a small number of people cannot create a lot of problems, particularly in terms of prolific offending... but it is a manageable issue, in that the vast majority of people are not engaged."
