A community rep in Tallaght says polydrug use is having a much more devastating effect than heroin did in the 90's.
A new information campaign has been launched today by the Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency group to teach people about the dangers of mixing drugs.
The Be Smart Be Safe campaign is aimed at parents and families to spot the signs and know the risks of taking a mix of drugs at once.
Co-ordinator with JADD Shane Hamilton says parents are struggling to deal with the new wave of drugs coming through.
He said, "They may be comfortable being able to spot previous drugs that have impacted communities like Jobstown.
"But they're not aware of how to manage prescription medication; counterfeit medication; crack cocaine."
Social Media Influences
Shane believes social media is normalising drug-taking and the mixing of substances.
He said, "Weekend binges, festivals and the drugs that are attached to that; that's going to impact young people. Not seeing it as a negative consequence of their life that there're risks attached."
Local support services say new strategies are needed to tackle the problem of polydrug use.
