CFAD Respond to Statement by Nigel Dodds

A Chara,

CONCERNED FAMILIES AGAINST DRUGS (CFAD) categorically rejects the recent statement by Nigel Dodds M.P. In which he states we are a ‘vigilante group seeking to usurp the rule of law and order and using violence’ for our own ends. Unfortunately, Mr. Dodds has used comments by the IMC concerning CFAD to accuse us of ‘indulging in criminal attacks’.

CFAD have never been involved in actions described by the DUP Deputy-Leader and are at a loss as to why the MP has set us up as a target? This dangerous felon-setting has now targeted us and our activists for arrest, imprisonment or worse, killing by Loyalist Paramilitaries.

CFAD was established in September, 2008 as a radical and community-based collective to campaign against the upsurge of drug abuse and associated criminality in the Ardoyne area of North Belfast. Ever since, a number of Sinn Fein- linked Community Workers and certain Journalists have without evidence attempted to smear, vilify and criminalise us. To date, this particular strategy has failed miserably and in recent days, the Sunday World and right-wing North Belfast MP, Nigel Dodds have sought to link us with armed Republican groups.

We are an open and independent collective that consist of local parents, residents and community activists committed to tackling illegal drugs, raising awareness and building a safer community. We have also provided a focus for the community with a series of protests, exposures and of course community lobbying. We are not an armed group, nor are connected to any armed groups. The DUP Deputy-Leader, has yet had the decency to contact CFAD, ahead of issuing his allegations against us.

Finally we suggest, that the negative energies of the DUP/Sinn Fein and these Journalists would be better spent questioning the inactivity of highly-paid Community Workers and the PSNI who clearly do nothing to seriously combat drugs and related crime in working-class communities across North Belfast. Obviously this failure has created a void whereby Republican groups have exploited the situation. For our part, CFAD will continue to identify, expose and confront the scourge of drugs in Ardoyne and our anti-drug campaign will continue unabated.

Le Meas,
Martin Og Meehan
(CFAD)

CFAD Highlight New Lodge Drug Find

Sammy Cusick (CFAD) with the Cannibis Plants

Early this morning (18th November, 2009) a number of North Belfast parents walking their children to school. Discovered the remnants of three large cannibis plants in the New Lodge area, close to the Star of the Sea Primary School. They immediately contacted Concerned Families Against Drugs, who contacted the School Principal and local community workers.

'CFAD condemn the drug dealers for leaving these dangerous plants outside school and urge local parents, youth workers and the wider community to be vigilant as to the dangers of drugs!

We also thank parents, the New Lodge C.E.P. and Principal for helping us take these safely off the streets'.

Drug Barons remain the most potent problem in working-class communities today. They don't care about ordinary people and only add to anti-social activity, crime and misery.

IMC Respond to CFAD

The following e-mail was sent to the IMC on November 5th, 2009:

A chara,

'It is with great dismay and disgust that we witnessed your Commission named Concerned Families Against Drugs (CFAD) as being 'behind the rise in shootings and pipe-bombings in Belfast'.
Firstly, we would like to register our complaint that no-one from the IMC has had the decency to contact CFAD before including scurrilous allegations against us in your 22nd Report....
CFAD would also like to know, given the basis of your report. Where did you recieve your information? Where did the IMC gain this information from? Regards shootings and pipe-bombings etc, connected to drug dealers....CFAD have never been involved in such actions therefore, are at a loss as to why the IMC has set us up as a target? This dangerous felon-setting has now targeted us and our members for arrest, imprisonment or worse killing by Loyalist Paramilitaries.
CONCERNED FAMILIES AGAINST DRUGS (CFAD) was established in September, 2008 as a community-based, radical and campaigning pressure group. In response to growing problem of young people involved in drug abuse and associated criminality in the Ardoyne area of North Belfast. We consist of local parents, residents and community activists committed to addressing the scourge of drugs and building a safer community. Our aim is to tackle drug dealers, through an effective anti-drug campaign and raising awareness about the dangers of drugs. Since our foundation, CFAD has provided a focus to reduce the availability of drugs. With a series of protests, exposures and of course political and community lobbying.

CFAD challenenge you (IMC) to produce evidence of illegal activity by our open community group and if not then retract your statement. Otherwise, we will seek legal advice on this serious matter'.

Is Mise,
Martin Og Meehan
Concerned Families Against Drugs


Here is the IMC response, dated 10th November, 2009:

Dear Sir

Thank you for your recent communication.

The issues you have raised have been brought to the attention of the Commissioners for their consideration.

Yours faithfully
Alison J White
Joint Secretariat

CFAD now await a full apology from the IMC Commissioners........

CFAD Reject IMC Claims

A Chara,

CFAD categorically deny the scurrilous allegations levelled at our community group by the NON-Independant Monitoring Commission and so-called Sinn Fein 'community workers' who clearly do nothing to seriously try and combat the scourge of drugs and related crime in our areas.

These same inactivists call on our beleaguered communities to support the RUC/PSNI who readidly recruit the suppliers and dealers of death and destruction.....Statement Ends

(C.F.A.D.)