Social Issues
Athlone is long positioned as the greatest urban centre in the nation with a heroin problem outside Dublin., A report released by the Health Research Board described areas of "Athlone had an identifiable substance-use problem." The study revealed many had used heroin by their 18th birthday. Athlone experiences serious problems with heroin and cocaine addiction.
A report from the Midlands Regional Drug Task Force in 2005 reported that "Athlone town had become a 'heroin black spot'". It then expanded to say that heroin is more available in Athlone than in either Limerick City or Cork City. The report also heard of children as young as thirteen that were starting to experiment with smoking heroin. The report suggests that heroin is "the easiest drug of all to get in the town".. Senior Midland Health Board official at the time, Bill Ebbitt says there is considerable ecstasy use in the town, while there is "no shortage of cannabis in any part of the midlands".
Athlone is often involved in high profile drug seizures. The most notable of recent years was a 2009 seizure of cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of almost €1.5 million. In just one particular weekend in 2007, the street value of drugs seized in the Athlone area had exceeded €450,000.
On 2 November 2011, an Athlone judge stated heroin is "causing carnage" and serious damage to the area.. As recent as 23 August 2012, Athlone has had the highest drug crime statistics in the region.
Athlone has had numerous bomb threats in recent years, notable of which are on 10 October 2008 a viable explosive device was found in the Athlone area. Possible links to a feud between factions in the midlands have been explored by Garda Síochána. On 10 March 2010, two viable pipe bombs were found outside two separate head shops in the town. The attacks were later traced to disgruntled drug dealers in the area. On 24 April 2012, an improvised explosive device was found outside a private residence in the town. All devices were made safe by Army Bomb Disposal teams.
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