Derry Mother's Campaign for Harsher Drug Sentences Praised at Stormont
Pauline Duddy from Derry campaigns for longer prison terms for drug dealers. Her daughter Jasmin died on February 2, 2023, after taking pregabalin and bromazepam while addressing addiction. Jasmin was a mother from Creggan.
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan praised Duddy during a Stormont debate on sentencing. He noted her work highlights the impact of drug dealing on families. Durkan recognised meetings between Duddy, Justice Minister Naomi Long, and other assembly members over two years.
Durkan stated that real families affected by drugs warrant input into sentencing discussions.
Long met Duddy and described her response to Jasmin's death as notable. She highlighted Duddy's focus on addressing vulnerability in drug-related deaths to prevent future cases. Long observed that parents of those lost to crime often campaign to protect others despite knowing it changes nothing for their own loss.