Weekend drug takers are funding and supporting violence, crime and murders.
That's the view of the Minister for Justice, who has highlighted the increasing prevalence of weekend drug-taking in Irish society.
Simon Harris made the comment in the Dáil following a landmark week for drug seizures.
This week, Gardaí made eight arrests after the discovery of a drug-mixing plant and 2.8 million euro worth of cocaine in Dublin.
Minister Harris says weekend drug users need to be called out and held accountable for their actions.
"What I'm talking about is the increasing prevalence and often visibility of drug-taking as part of a night out in Ireland," Mr Harris said, "and any conversation we have about drug use cannot ignore this reality. There is a direct link between snorting a line or taking a pill, and murder, assault criminality and misery.
"Drug use on a Friday or Saturday night is helping to fund and support violence, crime and murders the next week," the Minister insisted. "You are helping to line the pockets of criminals who are inflicting misery and pain on communities across Ireland. Drug use is not victimless, and we need to get real about this."
