Landmark Report Exposes Widespread Drug-Related Intimidation in Northern Ireland

Ministers Welcome Comprehensive Study

Ministers in Northern Ireland have welcomed the publication of a landmark report on Drug-Related Intimidation (DRI), which provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of its nature, prevalence, and impact across the region. The report, produced by the Public Health Agency and commissioned by the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC), was met with endorsement from Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on October 22, 2025.

Key Findings Highlight Scale of the Problem

The study reveals the widespread and complex harms caused by DRI, affecting individuals, families, and entire communities. Key findings underscore the pervasive nature of the issue:

• Nearly 40% of the general population are aware of suspected or real DRI occurring in their community.
• One in eight people reported direct experience of DRI within the last three years.

The report identifies two primary types of DRI: Disciplinary, which involves enforcing debts, silence, or compliance, and Successional, aimed at expanding or seizing drug-market control. Victims range from teenagers coerced into dealing to parents burdened with drug debts, and entire communities where 'community enforcement' is used to deter cooperation with police. The findings highlight the intricate relationship between drug debt, organised crime, paramilitary groups, and social vulnerability.

Call for Coordinated Cross-Sectoral Response

Both ministers emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral response to address the challenges outlined in the report. Justice Minister Naomi Long stated, 'Drug-related intimidation is a deeply corrosive force in our society. It preys on vulnerability, fuels fear and undermines the very fabric of our communities. This report lays bare the scale and complexity of the challenge we face, and it demands action.' She committed to working with various sectors, including health, housing, education, and community organisations, to deliver a joined-up approach.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described the report as 'compulsory reading for all across Government.' He acknowledged that individuals who use drugs often face stigma and intimidation, which can lead to a 'spiral of substance use, exploitation, and being pulled into criminal activity.' Minister Nesbitt confirmed that plans are underway to use the report's insights to inform a collective, holistic, and compassionate response.

Broader Context of Drug-Related Harms

The report places DRI within the broader context of substance dependency, organised crime, and community trauma in Northern Ireland. Provisional figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) indicate that over 200 drug-related deaths occurred in Northern Ireland in 2023, underscoring the severe public health implications. The report's findings are expected to inform future interventions by EPPOC, aligning with existing strategies such as the Substance Use Strategy, 'Preventing Harm, Empowering Recovery,' to break the link between organised crime and public harm.