A local councillor claims teenagers are being targeted by drug dealers in Portlaw.
Figures acquired by the Irish Times show drug offences in the town rose from 11 two years ago to 87.
Sinn Féin's Declan Clune, who is the chairman of Waterford's Joint Policing Committee, says the rise is down to a number of reasons, including the All Together Now festival.
However, he says there are individuals dealing hard drugs in Portlaw that are targeting young people:
"I certainly know of a situation where there is open drug dealing going on in a part of the village and I'm fairly certain that the Gardaí are fully aware of it as well. These people they would be locals in Portlaw, they would be several generations of families so they wouldn't be new people in Portlaw, which of course is very, very disappointing.
"We're just going to have to keep fighting it because seeing young adults, young teenagers being targeted by these guys running up drug debts and then doing whatever to pay it off. It's just completely unacceptable and knowing the people in Portlaw, that won't be tolerated for too long."
He says Gardaí need the public's help to ensure these dealers are caught:
"There's an onus on people that if they do see any suspicious activity, if they are aware of any dealing. If they're uncomfortable reporting it, there is a Garda Confidential phone number and you can also give myself or any other councillor a call and we'd be happy to pass on the information."
