Model's death fails to deter the drug-takers
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Close friends of model Katy French expressed the hope last week that her death might highlight the dangers of taking drugs and might prevent similar tragedies.
But on the streets and behind closed doors, unfortunately, it was business as usual at the weekend.
In Clontarf on the northside of Dublin on Saturday night gardai from the National Drugs Unit and the local drugs unit seized a kilo of cocaine, with a street value of €70,000 from an apartment on Vernon Avenue.
The spread of cocaine throughout the country and its fashionable appeal to users from all social backgrounds has now turned into the number one problem for the authorities.
Sadly, the other side of the booming business was also evident at the weekend with the admission of at least two patients to hospital, suffering from suspected drug overdoses.
One senior garda officer involved in the Katy French investigation said last night: "There are so many people dealing in and using cocaine at the moment that it has become almost a policing nightmare.
"If a high profile death such as this does not have a big impact, then it is difficult to know what will," the officer added.
After today's funeral, detectives will begin probing into the dark secrets of some of Dublin's affluent set as part of their efforts to unmask the supplier who provided the cocaine to Katy.
A detailed examination of her telephone records may help to provide some clues as to the supplier's identity.
Detectives will also track down as many of her personal and social friends as possible and those who do not co-operate willingly with garda inquiries face arrest and questioning in custody in a garda station.
The high profile investigation will take several weeks to complete and a full report prepared for the coroner to allow an inquest to be held into Katy's death.
In the meantime, the gardai will be hoping that the widespread publicity that has been given to this case will play some part in persuading others that dabbling in drugs, no matter how fashionable it may seem, is not worth the risk.
- Tom Brady
